According to the Agricultural Statistics Service, Warren County still has nearly 90 cattle farms. That’s a pretty fair number considering many of the cattle farms that were once here have been converted to neighborhoods or tree farms over the last couple of decades.

It will be interesting to see how many of the current cattle operations can survive the economic challenges farmers are facing, especially regarding the high prices for fuel, feed and fertilizer.

In an effort to keep cattle producers informed and to help them prepare for the issues they face, the Warren County Extension Service is offering an educational seminar Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon to discuss the critical issues facing cattle and dairy producers. This Beef Cattle Economic Challenges Seminar will be presented via our interactive video network.

Extension economists Dr. John Anderson and Dr. Bill Herndon will present important and timely information relative to current and emerging issues influencing financial health and management decisions on Mississippi beef cattle farms.

Producers are currently facing some of the most critical economic challenges most have ever encountered. Record high prices for fuel, feed, fertilizer and other inputs necessary for production are definitely rendering profit margins extremely tight for most farmers in our state, as well as for their farming colleagues throughout the country.

This Wednesday’s seminar offers thorough analyses of beef cattle market prices and rising production costs that are generating serious financial concerns for producers. Discussion will include evaluation of the current situation and outlook for beef markets as well as movements, trends and projections of input costs – particularly feed, fuel and fertilizer– impacting farm financial health and management decisions. Review of beef enterprise budgets will illustrate narrow profit margins facing producers in the immediate and foreseeable future.

Sadly, financial hardships are not simply limited to one or two farming disciplines. Myriad challenges to generating profit loom large for all segments of production agriculture. It doesn’t matter whether one’s farming operation focuses upon livestock production, crop production, or both — it is becoming more difficult to keep the financial ledger in the black. Currently, the profit generating potential for many aspects of production agriculture is greatly diminished or erased by overwhelmingly high costs of inputs.

All farming activities should be carried out only after careful though, and consideration allowing the farmer to establish a plan of action. Beef cattle producers are advised to critically evaluate all aspects of the farming operation as they develop strategic plans for the future. I strongly encourage producers to equip themselves with the information necessary to make appropriate decisions about their farming operations by attending the seminar this Wednesday.

Also this week, a Forage Field Day sponsored by the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center will be at Franklinton, La., Thursday, and Mississippi producers are invited. Franklinton is approximately a three hour drive from Vicksburg, but the agenda for the day looks interesting. Producers wanting additional information about the Field Day should contact the Extension Service office.

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John C. Coccaro is county Extension director. Write to him at 1100-C Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39180 or call 601-636-5442. E-mail him at jcoccaro@ext.msstate.edu.