URBANA, Ill. — Time is running out to register for a pair of University of Illinois-sponsored producer education conferences.

Limited registration is still available for the 2014 Illinois Farm Economics Summit, which kicks off Dec. 15 in DeKalb and includes stops in Peoria (Dec. 16), Springfield (Dec. 17) and Mt. Vernon (Dec. 18) before concluding Dec. 19 in Champaign. Speakers from the farmdoc team at the U of I will host a farm profitability outlook and examine management challenges during the five-city summit.

The 2015 outlook for prices, farm income prospects, long-term grain price prospects and new farm programs under the 2014 farm bill will be among topics covered.

“Crop producers now face a variety of difficult decisions to deal with the diminished revenue outlook. One important decision that looms large is the farm program signup,” said Scott Irwin, U of I agricultural economist and a presenter at the summit.

“Income support from the new farm program is likely to be much more important than was expected just a few months ago, so this economics summit comes at a good time to help farmers manage some of the challenges and make vital decisions. Much of this year’s program focuses on the new farm program options and how to decide which option is likely to work best for a particular farm operation.”

Speakers scheduled for the Farm Economics Summit also include Jonathan Coppess, assistant professor; Darrel Good, professor emeritus; John Newton, assistant professor; Nick Paulson, associate professor; Gary Schnitkey, professor; Bruce Sherrick, professor; and Todd Gleason, media communications specialist.

These conferences will commence at 8:20 a.m. each day and conclude with a 12:10 p.m. luncheon. Registration questions and requests should be emailed to nsimp1@illinois.edu

Registration is also available at www .cropsciconferences.com for the 2015 Illinois Corn and Soybean Classics. The dates and locations for the Classics will be Jan 7 in Peoria, Jan. 8 in Moline, Jan. 9 in Malta, Jan. 12 in Springfield, Jan. 13 in Champaign and Jan. 14 in Mt. Vernon.

“We look forward to welcoming back many who have attended one or more of our previous meetings, and extend a warm welcome to those who will attend for the first time,” said Aaron Hager, weed specialist with the U of I and a conference presenter.

“The program will feature eight presentations that emphasize crop production, pest management, economics and the interactions among them. Market updates will be provided throughout the day, and communications between speakers and participants is encouraged.”

Question-and-answer sessions are scheduled for morning and afternoon sessions, which are divided by lunch. Presenters will include state climatologist Jim Angel and U of I farmdoc educators Schnitkey, Richard Cooke, Mike Gray, Carl Bradley, Emerson Nafziger and Scott Brethauer.

Corn and Soybean Classic programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude between 3-3:30 p.m. Advance registration for the Classics ends Dec. 5, but registration continues through Dec. 19 and will be available at the door. Questions about the Classics can be directed to sasosterb@illinois.edu

Both the 2014 Illinois Farm Economics Summit and the 2015 Illinois Corn and Soybean Classics require a fee to attend.