By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Many financial factors must be considered in planning, budgeting, and ultimately making a profit in farming, according to extension agent Rickey Roberts.

The price of commodities, the cost of necessary crop inputs, and decisions about when and how to buy needed items are factors that must be balanced to end up with a profit instead of a loss.

Commodity prices are high now, but input costs are soaring, keeping profit margins as razor-thin as ever.

“Those prices fluctuate, so what it cost me to do a year ago may not be what it costs me to do it today,” he said.

An upcoming series of workshops will help women in the agriculture business learn more about the administrative side of the family farm.

“What we are learning is that there is a bit of a growing trend that the women are taking more of an active role in the farming operations, and the role they are assuming is more of the business side of it,” Roberts said. “We believe the roles they would take on the farm are record-keeping, management, and risk management.”

The workshops are aimed at helping farm women understand where they are with management.

Supplies might be purchased or ordered in advance when prices are lower, Roberts said. That’s a move that will hold down supply costs.

“We’re trying to provide them with some tools for risk management,” he said. “Farming is not a job. It’s a family way of life.”

Many things are beyond the control of the farming family, Roberts said. That takes its toll on the business.

“The businesses are large; the bills can be big,” he said. “It’s not just stressful on the farmer; it’s stressful on the whole family.”

The workshop series, “Women in Agriculture Farm and Ranch Risk Management,” will be presented today through Feb. 2 by Chisholm Trail Extension District.

Seminars will delve into determining costs of production, using crop insurance, crop marketing plans, government farm programs, and risk management for beef cow and calf operations.

Sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and include dinner. Registration fee is $75 for the first four sessions and $10 for the optional fifth session. Scholarships might be available.

Registrations are being accepted at https//www.agmanager.info/events/risk-management-skills-kansas-women-agriculture or by email at haleyw8@ksu.edu or rroberts@ksu.edu.

Attendees may attend one session or the entire Wednesday night series.