Indiana Corn

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (February 4, 2010) — Price volatility and fluctuating markets are two top-of-mind concerns for farmers today. On April 7, Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) are hosting a risk management workshop to help grain and livestock farmers learn about ways to offset risk in their operations. 

The all-day workshop, titled “Basics of Using the Futures Market to Offset Risk,” starts at 9 a.m. EDT at the Beef House restaurant in Covington, Ind. and focuses on a number of topics including grain flow, the world ag marketplace, hedging, basis trading, market reports and farmer contracts. 

Members of either ISA or ICGA can attend the workshop free; however, the cost for non-members is $20 at the door. Online pre-registration is required by April 1 at www.indianasoybean.com/seminar and the workshop is limited 100 people. 

Sponsors of the workshop include Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the state’s soy and corn checkoff organizations, as well as Illinois Soybean Association, American Soybean Association and Monsanto.

“This workshop features well-respected risk-management experts who will provide a holistic view of the market landscape and describe how to get ahead of it,” said Leah Beyer, ISA/ICGA Livestock Director. “The day will start out with a broad overview of the world marketplace but will quickly focus on the different methods grain and livestock farmers can use to manage risks and optimize profitability.”

The specific topics that presenters Sue Goll and Eugene Kunda will cover include:

• World marketplace overview – Major producing areas, players (importers/exporters), market fundamentals driving price, policy changes and effects on trade
• History and Development of Agricultural Futures - What are futures?
• Hedging fundamentals and basis       
• Farmer Contracts – Elevator to farmer contracts, pros, cons
• Introduction to options and basic hedge strategies

The speakers

Sue Goll and Eugene Kunda both have extensive experience when it comes to the topic of risk management. Goll is an agricultural consultant with more than 20 years of experience as a cash grain merchandiser and futures industry participant.

Kunda is the visiting assistant director and research associate of the Office for Futures and Options Research (OFOR) in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois. OFOR promotes and enhances scholarly research and learning of futures, options, and derivative markets.

“We are very pleased to have these two well-known specialists presenting at this workshop,” said Gary Lamie, ICGA president. “Most recently, a workshop similar to this one was held with these two speakers, but cost participants hundreds of dollars.  We are proud to offer this rare opportunity to our members for free and to other farmers at a very reasonable cost.”

This free workshop is just one of the many benefits of being members of ISA or ICGA. To become a member of ISA, visit www.indianasoybean.com. To become a member of ICGA, visit www.incorn.org. 

For more information about becoming a member of either of these organizations, contact Jared Coppess, Membership and Policy Manager, at 317-644-2797 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

For more information regarding the risk management workshop, contact the ISA/ICGA office at 317-347-3620 or visit www.indianasoybean.com/seminar.

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The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biodiesel, livestock, international marketing, new soybean uses, aquaculture, and research. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA’s 950 dues-paying members.

The Indiana Corn Growers Association works to ensure the viability of Indiana corn farmers through the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana corn farmers on behalf of its dues-paying members.

For more information, contact Megan Kuhn at 317-614-0377 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This communication was not funded with Indiana corn and soybean checkoff dollars.