University of Wisconsin - Extension

Menomonie, Wis. – If you’re interested in doing a better job at marketing grain, make plans to attend the Celebrity Squares Search for a Pre-Harvest Advantage workshop on Tuesday, March 17 at the Dunn County Judicial Center in Menomonie.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension and Bremer Bank are sponsoring the workshop that will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The workshop is designed to assist growers in doing a better job at marketing grain, as well as gain a better understanding of the impact that 2009 production costs may have. Participants will be able to identify their unique marketing style through the introduction of fictitious celebrity producers like Barney Binless, Hank Holder and Darla Discipline.

“Many producers fail to execute their marketing plan because it doesn’t fit their marketing style. Understanding yourself and selecting a marketing plan that is compatible will aid in becoming a more successful grain marketer,” said Jim Faust, UW-Extension agriculture agent.

Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist, University of Minnesota is the special guest speaker for the workshop. He has developed a series of award-winning grain marketing workshops titled, “Winning the Game.” In addition, Greg Hadley, UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist will contribute to the workshop.

Program topics include:

-- Marketing Styles

-- Finding a Pre-Harvest Advantage

-- Price Patterns Before and After Harvest

-- Marketing Strategies to Fit Your Style

-- Tools of the Trade

-- Developing and Executing a Pre-Harvest Marketing Plan

-- Executing Your Plan

-- Whole Farm Cash Grain Financial Comparison

-- Corn and Soybean Costs of Production: Past, Present and Future

Pre-registration is required. To register, contact the Dunn County Extension office at 232-1636, or mail a check payable to Chippewa Valley Marketing Club to: Jim Faust, UW-Extension, 800 Wilson Avenue, Menomonie, WI 54751. Cost of the program is $15 per person on or before March 13. Late registrations and registrations at the door will be $25.

The Judicial Center is located off Hwy 12/29 on Stokke Parkway just East of the city of Menomonie midway between the Dunn County Highway Department and the Dunn County Health Care Center.