Improve your crop price risk management skills with a new online crop marketing course developed by Iowa State University and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation specialists.

The course launches Nov. 10 and remains open until January. The registration fee is $200 and is payable during registration.

“You can explore the use of futures, options, hedge-to-arrive and a variety of crop market contracts,” says Chad Hart, ISU Extension economist. “And learn about basis and seasonal futures price trends. You’ll calculate your own cost of grain ownership and develop old- and new-crop written marketing plans that set both price and time objectives.”

Learn at your own pace with this online course. Register at agonline.iastate.edu/noncredit/crop-marketing.

Upon completing this crop marketing course, you’ll get a non-credit professional certificate offered by ISU that provides a learning opportunity for those who manage farm operations.

What was once exclusively a face-to-face workshop is now available for you to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world.

In this course, you will explore the topics of price movements, contracts, basis movements, option values and successful marketing plans. The learning and communication ability of students is enhanced through an interactive online format. The class consists of video presentations, evaluation of current literature and class discussion. A special emphasis is given to comprehensive planning and risk management.

This course is self-paced, with students completing the content in four weeks on average after registration. The course opens Nov. 10. You can progress through the course as fast or slow as you want, provided you complete the course content prior to March 15.

Source: Iowa State University