Learn Grain Marketing Basics at MU Extension Workshop

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

The University of Missouri Extension, with support from Missouri Corn Producers and their checkoff, is offering corn and soybean growers the chance to enhance their marketing skills at the “Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop” on February 18-19 at the Boone County Electric Cooperative in Columbia.

This two-day workshop is aimed at producers seeking 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, who will lead the sessions.

Attendees will learn the fundamental elements of a strong marketing plan, including basis, market carry, margins, and cash market dynamics. Brown explained that these 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,” Brown added. “In years when margins are tight, even small improvements in marketing decisions can make a meaningful difference to a farm’s bottom line.”

The workshop will cover a variety of marketing and risk-management tools, such as forward contracts, futures, hedge-to-arrive contracts, basis contracts, and deferred pricing.

Other topics include hedging basics, storage considerations, and the role of crop insurance in marketing decisions. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, farmer-to-farmer discussions, and panels featuring industry experts.

Brown emphasized that improving marketing knowledge is one of the most practical ways to reduce exposure to price swings and stabilize farm revenue. Missouri farmer Mark Ellison agreed: “You can’t control the weather or the markets, but you can control how prepared you are. Workshops like this help farmers make decisions with confidence instead of reacting out of fear. That’s worth a lot when every penny counts.”

Attendance is limited to 50 participants, who will also gain access to quarterly follow-up Zoom sessions to reinforce lessons and support ongoing decision-making. For more details or to register, contact Brown at bpbrown@missouri.edu or 660-492-7574.

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