AMARILLO – One of the most fascinating years grain producers have ever faced lies ahead of them in the wake of tightest carryover stocks in history, expected increases in ethanol production and relatively high competing commodity prices, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
A two-day workshop is scheduled Feb. 16-17 to help producers gain a better understanding of the fundamentals affecting the feed-grains market this year, according to Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist and coordinator of the program.
The program, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, will be held at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center-Amarillo, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd.
Attendees will look at cost of production, fundamentals of ethanol, feed use and exchange rates on exports, basis, technical analysis, cash and contract seasonality and marketing strategies, he said.
“The ultimate goal of the workshop is for the producers attending to develop a written marketing plan for the 2011 crop,” Amosson said. “If producers just pick up one piece of information that helps them improve their marketing a dime, that’s equal to $10,000 on a section of corn production. I don’t see how a producer can afford to miss this opportunity.”
Amosson and Dr. March Welch, AgriLife Extension grain marketing specialist from College Station, will serve as the primary instructors. A local industry panel will provide additional insights into the 2011 markets.
“Given the tight supplies and expected use, it is almost impossible to predict where commodity markets will end up this year,” he said. “However, it is a given there will be extreme volatility, and where there is volatility, there is opportunity.”
Amosson said it is critical for producers to understand what is expected for the upcoming year, and what marketing tools and strategies they have available to them to develop a sound marketing plan.
Pre-registration is required and attendance is limited to 60. The cost of the workshop is $125 per participant and covers the costs associated with instruction, breaks, meals and materials.
For more information, including the workshop brochure, contact Leon Guerrero at 806-677-5600.
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