Agricultural input costs and uncertaintities

1. Agricultural input costs and uncertaintities LSU ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ALEXANDRIA, LA JANUARY 21, 2010 William H. Meyers meyersw@missouri.edu www.fapri-mu.org

2. I Survived 2009!

3. The risky economic environment continues Need best management and perhaps good luck Too easy to get on the wrong side of a cost-price cycle Will review input cost drivers and cost outlook Will focus on unknowns and unknowables Markets AND policies Introduction

4. Annual Crude Oil Average Prices 100 73 66 60 60 44 30 32 23 27 26 21 19 19 20 15

6. Petroleum price forecasts from IHS Global Insight *NYMEX June futures, 10/22/09

7. Monthly Natural Gas Futures

8. Monthly Heating Oil Prices

9. Monthly Unleaded Gas Prices

10. US Dollar Index: Monthly

16. Source: USDA prior to 2009, FAPRI-MU 2009-2011 1990-92=100

17. Source: USDA prior to 2009, FAPRI-MU 2009-2011 1990-92=100

18. Source: USDA

19. Source: USDA prior to 2009, FAPRI-MU 2009-2011 1990-92=100

20. Source: USDA prior to 2009, FAPRI-MU 2009-2011 1990-92=100

21. US Corn Production Cost, 2009

22. US Rice Production Cost, 2009

23. US Cotton Production Cost, 2009

24. Murky Areas • True impact on energy prices • EPA, EIA, others • Nuclear power implications • Most analysts agree that energy prices will increase, • But do not on the magnitude or the specific impact per energy sector • What about the policy factor?

29. Some estimates of impacts on energy costs (change from baseline) Source: EIA and EPA analysis of HR 2454, the House climate change bill. These costs include the value of allowances.

30. Uncertainties in estimating crop production cost impacts • How much will energy costs change? • How does a given change in energy costs affect prices for fertilizer, chemicals, etc.? • How will provisions to benefit energy-intensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industries work? • What changes will farmers make in production practices?

31. Estimated impacts on corn operating costs (change from baseline) *Free allowances are phased out between 2025 and 2035 under HR 2454. Source: FAPRI-MU estimates. These preliminary estimates may be modified after further review of assumed relationships between energy costs and crop production expenses. Note: Earlier FAPRI estimates using different energy price assumptions showed a 3.2% increase in MO dryland corn costs in 2020 and 3.8% in 2030.

32. Cropland shifts to forestry • FASOM model (McCarl, Texas A&M) results: much crop and pasture land will shift to forestry • Reduction in crop production results in higher crop prices • This increases per-acre revenues for remaining crop producers • Means crop producers might be beneficiaries even if • They face higher production costs and • They do not earn any offset income

33. Murky Areas, cont. • EITE – Energy Intensive Trade Exposed to 2025 • Nitrogen fertilizer is presumptively eligible • What agency will ultimately be responsible? • Revenue potential for carbon offsets • Land-use and acreage shifts • How will EPA regulate carbon dioxide emissions despite passage of this leg?

34. A more uncertain future Road to economic recovery? Timing and size of oil price volatility? Will biofuel policies change? Will other policies be unstable? Climate change and policy impacts? Will DDA be completed in near term? Wider range of possible outcomes Complex decision making and planning

35. Guiding Indicators • What to look for that makes a difference? • Oil prices • Interest rates • Exchange rates • Unemployment and other macro indicators • Policy changes – national and international , energy and biofuels

36. Thank you and Questions? meyersw@missouri.edu www.fapri-mu.org