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Agriculture plays a vital role in the local and global economy. With quality instructors and state-of-the-art facilities, Kishwaukee College is training the next generation of workers to meet the changing demands of the agriculture business.

Paulson said. “But South America is more reliant on imports and much more reliant on the Black Sea region, so they had increased prices and supply fears.”

Potash is the exception because the United States does rely on imports for this nutrient.

“Most of it comes from Canada, but we rely on Russia and Belarus for a small portion,” Paulson said. “We’re relatively protected based on our trade partners.”

For Illinois farmers that participate in the Farm Business Farm Management program, the debt-to-asset ratio averages around 20%.

“It varies by age category – the older, more established operators are lower than that average and the younger operators are above that average,” Paulson said. “Over the last few years farms have gotten back to where they were in 2012, so I think we’re positioned well financially to be ready for a period of lower incomes.”

Production cost adjustments tend to lag with what occurs with corn and soybean prices.

“We’re looking at an adjustment of costs in 2023 and maybe smaller increases in 2024,” Paulson said. “But it might be a few years before we see downward pressure on cash rents or other production costs.”

With inflation rates above interest rates, Paulson said that’s a situation the U.S. economy can’t be in for an extended period of time.

“We’re seeing that inflation is moderating,” he said. “Interest rate increases will probably continue through 2023, but at a slower rate than we experienced over the last year and there won’t be rate declines in the short to medium term.”

AG-RELATED PROGRAMS AT KISH DEGREES

 Agribusiness

 Agriculture (Transfer Degree)

 Diesel Power Technology

 Horticulture

 Pre-Veterinary (Transfer Degree)

CERTIFICATES

 Cannabis and Hemp Production

 Diesel Power/Equipment Repair

 Floral Horticulture

 Foundations of Agribusiness

 Foundations in Horticulture

 Greenhouse/Garden Center

 Horticulture

 Landscape Design/Construction

 Precision Agriculture

SHORT-TERM TRAINING

 Truck Driver Training

 Veterinary Assistant

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