Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Producers can have some of their tough questions about marketing answered at the Understanding the Marketing Challenge workshop series at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The kick-off workshop has been rescheduled for March 3. All workshops will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Agriculture Technology Center on Pioneer Farm.

Mike North will present the series, sponsored by UWP and First Capital Ag. North is one of the chief advisors of the Six Step Plan for First Capital Ag. A graduate of UWP, he has appeared on national programs such as AgDay, RFDTV and KFRM.

A total of seven workshops will be held throughout the year. On April 7, participants will learn about pricing and protecting strategies and leveraging crop insurance at Developing an Effective Marketing Plan workshop. At the Analyzing the Market for Market Activity workshop on May 5, participants will do a supply and demand situation study and price study. The Futures Market workshop on June 2 will teach participants what the futures market is, why it exists, how it works, and how a producer can use it. Cash markets tools, basis and availability and a study of cash contracts will be the focus of the Understanding and Utilizing the Cash Market workshop on July 7. On Aug. 4, the Options Market workshop will teach participants what the options market is and is not, how it works and how producers can utilize it. At the final workshop, Marketers and Hedgers, date to be decided, participants will review the concepts they have learned at the previous workshops and the actions they have taken and the requirements to move forward as a successful and effective marketer. The date of this workshop will be announced at a later time.

"This is an educational seminar taught by professionals that deal with risk management each day. Producers will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to protect the bottom line of their farm by using different marketing tools," said Gretchen Kamps, camp coordinator for the UWP School of Agriculture.

Pioneer Farm is located approximately three miles east of highway 80/81 on the north end of College Farm Road. Cost of the kick-off workshop is $25 per person. The cost for continuing the workshops is $300 for up to two people per farm.

Each additional person cost $150. This price includes all workshops after the kickoff. Anyone wanting additional information or to register may visit www.uwplatt.edu/soa/marketingchallenge.htm, sign up at the kick-off workshop or contact Kamps at (608) 342-1371 or kampsg@uwplatt.edu.

Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu