Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service : Feed-grain marketing workshop to be offered Feb. 10-11 in Amarillo

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [e-mail]
Contact: Dr. Steve Amosson, 806-677-5600, [e-mail]

AMARILLO - With 2016 shaping up to be a tough marketing year, producers should attend Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's 'Developing This Year's Marketing Plan for Feed Grains' workshop Feb. 10-11 in Amarillo, according to an AgriLife Extension economist.

At least adequate-to-surplus supplies of all crops in the U.S. and world markets, stagnant ethanol demand, questionable feed demand and a strong dollar are just some of the factors that could make profitable marketing of the 2016 feed-grains crop difficult, said Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist in Amarillo.

'Feed-grain producers need a sharp pencil to get the most production for the least cost, and then they need to do a good job of marketing their crop to have a successful year,' Amosson said.

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 to: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/Grain or call 979-845-2604. While this is the preferred method of registration and payment, Amosson said payments will be accepted at the door. However, all registrations must be completed by Feb. 5, either online or by phone. For the registration brochure or more information, contact Kim Garcia at 806-677-5626 or [e-mail].

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.

Segments will cover cost of production, break-evens, crop insurance decisions, seasonal price patterns, anticipated weather, as well as supply, demand and technical factors that will influence the feed grains market for the upcoming year, Amosson said. Additionally, an industry panel will provide their insights.

'Based on all the information, we'll then look at and evaluate marketing strategies that can help manage risk and potentially increase profitability for this year's crop,' he said. 'Our objective is simple - to arm participants with the knowledge to make informed marketing decisions. The ultimate goal of this workshop is for the producer to be able to develop a successful marketing plan for the 2016 crop.'

Guest speakers for the feed grains workshop will include a panel of area lenders, brokers and grain merchandisers, who will address key issues facing local producers in the upcoming marketing year. In addition, the National Weather Service in Amarillo will provide the weather forecast for the upcoming growing season.

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