COLUMBIA — University of Missouri Extension, with sponsorship by Missouri Corn Producers and their checkoff, are offering corn and soybean producers a timely opportunity to strengthen their marketing skills through the “Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop,” set for Feb. 18-19, at the Boone County Electric Cooperative in Columbia.

“This two day, in-person 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.

Brown said participants will learn the essential components of a successful marketing plan, including basis, market carry, margins, and cash market dynamics, the “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,” said Brown. “In years when margins are tight, even small improvements in marketing decisions can make a meaningful difference to a farm’s bottom line.”

Throughout the workshop, attendees will explore a wide range of marketing and risk management tools, including forward contracts, futures, hedgetoarrive contracts, basis contracts, and deferred pricing. 

“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 followup Zoom sessions throughout the year to reinforce key concepts and support ongoing decision making.

Producers with questions can contact Brown at bpbrown@missouri.edu or 6604927574. Registration is available at https://muext.us/GrainMarketBasics.