AUG. 13 TELECONFERENCE EYES USDA CROP REPORT

LUBBOCK — Farmers can get an up-close analysis of USDA’s Aug. 12 Crop Report and discuss its market implications at a 7:30 a.m. teleconference on Aug. 13 at the Lubbock County Extension office, said a Texas Agricultural Extension Service economist.

“Our teleconference network features comments from some of the most highly respected market analysts,” said Dr. Jackie Smith, Extension agricultural economist. “Marketing clubs can call in on 800 lines to participate in the teleconference by listening to the presentations and asking questions.”

Lubbock-area marketing clubs will host the Aug. 13 teleconference under the leadership of Lubbock County Extension agent Stanley Young and Doug Hlavaty, leader of the Lubbock County Marketing Club.

The Extension Service and several farm and commodity organizations sponsor more than 50 county marketing clubs for Texas agricultural producers. These clubs help growers improve their marketing skills. The teleconference network is a once-a-month series of meetings featuring expert comments on current market developments and advice on how producers can apply specific marketing strategies to capitalize on the market.

Extension introduced the Master Marketer Program in 1996, to train marketing club leaders who help organize and conduct marketing clubs in their home counties, the economist noted.

“Marketing clubs meet once or twice a month. Members learn how to apply risk management tools such as forward-pricing, futures, and options,” Smith said. “The clubs often trade commodity options as a group to gain limited-risk trading experience.

“Clubs allow hands-on participation and observation of actual market dynamics. Club members learn at their own pace and experience first-hand the costs and benefits of marketing and risk management alternatives. Each teleconference runs for about 45 minutes through toll-free 800 telephone lines.”

Pat McClatchy, coordinator of the teleconference network, will conduct the Aug. 13 conference call from Texas. The discussion will center on USDA’s Aug. 12 Crop Report and its market implications. Marketing club leaders can call Extension agricultural economist Dr. Carl Anderson at (979) 845-8011, or Smith at (806) 746-6101, to get instructions on how to connect with the teleconference.

Anderson, Smith and the teleconference team will also lead a marketing program beginning at 7 p.m. in Lamb County on Aug. 12 — coordinated by Extension agent Dirk Aaron and hosted by three Lamb County marketing clubs and Security State Bank of Littlefield.

“There is no registration fee, but space is limited at the Aug. 12 meeting. Still, there may be an opportunity for producers outside of Lamb County to participate,” Smith said. “This meeting at Lamb County Electric Co-op will include a meal. Producers can call Aaron at (806) 385-4222, extension 235, to inquire about participation, or to register.”

Producers who want to participate in the network’s 1999 teleconferences should contact their county Extension agent or local marketing club leader. Producers or county agents who want more information on marketing clubs or the Master Marketer Program should contact Smith at (806) 746-6101, or visit <http://agecoext.tamu.edu/marketer/list.htm> on the World Wide Web.

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