Melissa O’Rourke, an ISU farm and agribusiness management specialist, will speak from 1:30 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 4, discussing Good Farm Policy: Top Ten Farm Estate and Succession Planning Mistakes to Avoid.

FORT DODGE – Avoiding common farm estate planning mistakes , a weather outlook for 2014’s growing season and how to market with falling prices are three of the seven presentations set for Farm News’ 12th annual Ag Show set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 at 2031 Quail Ave., Fort Dodge.

Melissa O’Rourke, an ISU farm and agribusiness management specialist, will speak from 1:30 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 4, discussing Good Farm Policy: Top Ten Farm Estate and Succession Planning Mistakes to Avoid.

She has worked with farm and ranch families for nearly 20 years, helping families to plan for the future.

She’ll talk about key mistakes she’s observed over the years, and provide tips for avoiding those missteps.

O’Rourke’s appearance is sponsored by Northwest Bank of Fort Dodge.

Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University’s agriculture meteorologist, will speak from 9 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 4, discussing “All About Weather and Crops in 2014.”

Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University’s agriculture meteorologist, will speak from 9 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 4, discussing “All About Weather and Crops in 2014.”

Taylor’s appearance is sponsored by Anderson Implement of Fort Dodge and United Bank of Iowa, Fort Dodge office.

David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments and author of the CommStock Report, based in Royal, will speak from 8 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 5 discussing “Going Off the Deep End: Adapting to the Fall.”

Kruse’s appearance is sponsored by Brokaw Supply of Fort Dodge.

More than 30,000 square feet of exhibitor space and more than 70 exhibitors from Iowa and surrounding states will showcase their latest state-of-the-art technology in grain products, equipment, ag services, seed varieties and farm toys.

David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments and author of the CommStock Report, based in Royal, will speak from 8 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 5 discussing “Going Off the Deep End: Adapting to the Fall.”

Parking is free, and there is no admission charge to the show.

Those attending the show can register to win a Kubota top and bottom set toolbox, valued at more than $2,100. The toolbox is provided by R & J Material Handling, in Fort Dodge, and Farm News. They can also win a 1/16 die-cast metal replica of a Steiger Panther PTA 325, which is provided by Le Mars Toy Store, in Le Mars.

Other speakers in the 2013 line up include:

On Dec. 4:

• Matt Helmers, an Iowa State University associate professor and Extension agricultural engineer, will speak from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., discussing “Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Science Assessment.”

Helmers said this talk will cover current conditions in Iowa relative to nutrient export from ag lands and what practices farmers can implement to reduce nutrient export.

Helmers’ appearance is sponsored by Minnesota Valley Testing Labs, New Ulm, Minn.

• Chad Hart, an Iowa State University crops markets specialist, will speak from 3 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. and will discuss “The Give and Take of Crop Markets.”

“2013 has been a challenging year from a production and marketplace perspective,” Hart said. “The weather shifts presented production uncertainty and price volatility. This talk will cover the current status of corn and soybean crops, examine the factors shaping demand for those crops and explore returns that are still there for farmers to capture.”

On Dec. 5:

• Kelvin Leibold, an ISU farm and agribusiness management specialist, will speak from 10 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. on De 5, discussing “The Future of World Agriculture: Impact on Local Prices, Rents and Profits.” He said he’ll discuss the impact of high prices on agriculture around the world, the growth in demand of grains, an outlook of futures prices and how all these issues will affect farm profits, rents and land values.

• Matt O’Neal, an ISU associate professor of entomology, will speak from 1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m., discussing “Should Corn and Soybean Farmers Care About Pollinators?”

He said a U.S. Department of Agriculture report claims that some negative activities around corn and soybean farms are affecting the vitality of pollinators.

“I will discuss the relationship between corn and soybean farming and pollinators,” O’Neal said. “I will discuss practices farms can consider to help conserve pollinators.”

Water will be served during the speaker presentations by Blue Ribbon Pelham Waters of Fort Dodge.

Farm News subscribers cross 33 counties in northwest and north central Iowa will have a chance to meet face-to-face with more than 70 exhibitors.

Lunch is available on-site by the Webster County Pork Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and by the Webster County Beef Producers from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.

Meals will be served by the Growth Alliance Ag Leaders with the help of Iowa Central Community College agricultural students.

There will be a free pancake breakfast for the first 525 guests from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 5. The breakfast is catered by Chris Cakes and is sponsored by Lundell Plastics, of Odebolt.

Farm News Ag Show partners include Iowa Central Community College, Webster County Farm Bureau, R & J Material Handling, Lundell Plastics, Brokaw Supply, Anderson Implement, United Bank of Iowa, John Pitzer Sales, Northwest Bank, Le Mars Toy Store, Blue Ribbon Pelham Waters, Growth Alliance Ag Leaders, Webster County Pork Producers and the Webster County Beef Producers.

For more information, contact Dana Lantz, advertising manager, Farm News, 713 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, at dlantz@farm-news.com, or (515) 574-4451, Ext. 450.