“We can grow it, but can we make a profit doing it?” That may be what feed grain producers are asking themselves as 2017 rolls around.
Dr. Steve Amosson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Amarillo, said that question and others will be answered during AgriLife Extension’s “Developing This Year’s Marketing Plan for Feed Grains” workshop Jan. 25-26 in Amarillo.
“Another large feed grains crop along with adequate-to-surplus supplies of all crops in the U.S. and world markets, and a strong dollar are going to make 2017 a challenging year for producers,” Amosson said.
“It will be critical for producers to manage costs and take advantage of marketing opportunities as they occur in order to have a successful year.”
The feed grains workshop, co-sponsored by the Plains Land Bank and Capital Farm Credit, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 W. Amarillo Blvd. The registration fee is $125, which covers the cost associated with instruction, breaks, meals and materials, Amosson said.
The course is limited to 50 participants. To register and pay for this course, go here or call 979-845-2604. While this is the preferred method of registration and payment, payments will be accepted at the door. However, all registrations must be completed by Jan. 23, either online or by phone.
For the registration brochure or more information, contact Kim Garcia at 806-677-5626 or kim.garcia@ag.tamu.edu.
Amosson and Dr. Mark Welch, AgriLife Extension grain marketing specialist in College Station, will be the primary instructors during the workshop, which will dissect the feed-grain market and analyze each of its components.
Special guest speakers will be Alan Brugler, Brugler Marketing and Management, Omaha, Nebraska; Darrell Holaday, a private marketing/management consultant, Frankfort, Kansas; Dr. Daniel O’Brien, Kansas State University; and Dr. Joe Outlaw, AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center, College Station.
Others speakers include Mike Gittinger, National Weather Service, Amarillo; Rachel Myers, Myers Crop Insurance, Claude; Donna Hughes, Daniels Trading, Amarillo; Matt Gruhlkey, Attebury Grain, Amarillo; Steve Donnell, Plains Land Bank, Amarillo; and Casey Cook, Capital Farm Credit, Amarillo.
Segments will cover developing a marketing plan, marketing tools and strategies, cost of production, basis and technical analysis, crop insurance alternatives, seasonal weather forecast and marketing, as well as supply, demand and technical factors that influence the feed grains market, Amosson said. Additionally, an industry panel will provide their insights.
“Our objective is simple – to arm participants with the knowledge to make informed marketing decisions,” he said. “The ultimate goal of this workshop is for the producer to be able to develop a successful marketing plan for the 2017 crop.”
