Improve Farm Profits with SDSU Workshop

By Scout Nelson

SDSU Extension will host a workshop on agricultural economics and precision agriculture advancement on February 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will take place at the SDSU Extension Sioux Falls Regional Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The workshop will help farmers strengthen their financial planning and technology skills before the 2026 crop season. Participants will leave with a better ability to estimate breakeven prices and profit targets. They will also gain a clearer understanding of crop insurance options based on their risk preferences. In addition, the program will explain farmland values, cash rental rates, market trends, and crop production costs.

The economics sessions will cover grain marketing strategies, crop insurance updates, land values, rental rates, and production expenses such as seed, fertilizer, chemicals, machinery, and repairs. Experts from SDSU Extension and industry professionals will lead each session. These discussions will focus on helping producers make smart and informed business decisions.

The workshop will also demonstrate how farm data, including yield maps, and soil tests, can guide seeding, and fertilizer decisions. Sessions on precision agriculture will introduce key goals such as efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Participants will learn about tools like drones, mapping systems, and variable rate technology. The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in farm data management will also be discussed.

Real world farm examples will show how technology affects yields, input costs, and return on investment. Farmers will also hear about operational challenges and practical experiences from the field.

The cost to attend is $25 for the in-person session on February 24 or $10 for the virtual session on February 26. The same content will be covered at both sessions, and lunch will be provided at the in-person event. Registration is required through Eventbrite.

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