JEFFERSON CITY – University of Missouri Extension, with support by Missouri Corn Producers and their checkoff, is offering corn and soybean producers a opportunity to strengthen their marketing skills through the “Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop,” set for Feb. 18-19 at the Boone Electric Cooperative in Columbia.
This two-day workshop is designed for growers who want to build a more confident, disciplined and informed approach to grain marketing, said Ben Brown, a specialist with MU Extension’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. Brown will be the primary instructor for the workshop.
Participants will learn the essential components of a successful marketing plan, including basis, market carry, margins and cash market dynamics, which Brown says are “core concepts that help producers navigate volatile markets and protect farm income.”
“Understanding how and when to market grain is one of the most effective ways producers can manage risk,” he said. “In years when margins are tight, even small improvements in marketing decisions can make a meaningful difference to a farm’s bottom line.”
Brown said attendees will explore a wide range of marketing and risk-management tools, including forward contracts, futures, hedge-to-arrive contracts, basis contracts and deferred pricing.
The program also covers hedging fundamentals, storage considerations and the role of crop insurance in marketing decisions. Instruction is paired with hands-on exercises, farmer-to-farmer discussions and panels featuring industry professionals.
For many producers, improving marketing knowledge is one of the most accessible ways to mitigate price swings and stabilize revenue, Brown said. Missouri farmer Mark Ellison agrees. “You can’t control the weather or the markets, but you can control how prepared you are,” Ellison said. “Workshops like this help farmers make decisions with confidence instead of reacting out of fear. That’s worth a lot when every penny counts.”
Registration is limited to 50 participants. Those who attend will also receive access to quarterly follow-up Zoom sessions throughout the year to reinforce key concepts and support ongoing decision-making.
To attend, register online.
For more information, contact Brown at bpbrown@missouri.edu or 660-492-7574.