Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Cost: $1,500
This eight-day course focuses on the mechanics of grain merchandising and is designed to educate individuals who are responsible for purchasing grain. Academic and commodity trade authorities lecture on cash and futures markets. Grain merchandisers guide you through the full complexity of the international grain markets. Opportunity to meet with grain merchandisers in Minneapolis. Participants receive a flash drive containing an outline of each presentation, copies of the visuals used, and other printed materials for future reference. The class also has on-site visits to a country elevator, an export grain terminal, and a barge facility.
Who Should Attend?
■ International grain buyers associated with private trading companies, milling, feed manufacturing and food processing.
■ Anyone with interest in importing grain from the United States.
Why Should You Attend?
One of the first steps in purchasing grain from the United States is to thoroughly understand the U.S. grain marketing system. By doing so, an importer can review the risks associated with various quality and price options. This course provides information that assists buyers in purchasing U.S. grain that meets quality requirements at the best value.
Highlights
■ Lectures by both academic and commodity trade authorities on cash and futures markets, led by William Wilson, Ph.D., an expert in commodity futures trading and consultant to the international grain and food processing industries.
■ Opportunity in Minneapolis to meet with grain merchandisers and hear of their experiences in dealing with the complexity of the international grain markets.
■ Share day-to-day experiences with colleagues from other countries and U.S. grain merchants.
■ Case studies and trading games to demonstrate purchasing strategies.
■ On-site visits to a country elevator, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, an export grain terminal, and a barge facility.
■ NDSU Commodity Trading Room: Portions of the class will be held in the Commodity Trading Room, a part of the Agribusiness and Applied Economics Department at North Dakota State University (NDSU). The high-technology room has 32 seats, each with a PC station and dual monitors. The stations receive live information feeds for financial information including equities and credit, plus commodity market information such as agriculture, energy and biofuels. Students have electronic access to information through Bloomberg, DTN, and X-Trader simulation software from Trading Technologies, a state of the art tool for executing electronic trades.
Major Topics
• U.S. grain export handling and logistics
• Commodity analysis: fundamental and technical factors
• Basis: implications for grain importing decisions
• Grain hedging principles
• U.S. grading standards
• International grain contracts
• World and U.S. grain market outlook
• Developing purchasing strategies
• Supplier-customer relationships
• Purchase quality specifications for importers
• Risk management strategies
• Managing ocean freight risks
To Register:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Enroll early. All courses are contingent upon sufficient enrollment numbers. Do not make travel reservations until NCI confirms that course will be offered.
Registration Fee: $1,500. For your course fee, you will also receive a flash drive containing materials from lectures, local transportation, refreshments during scheduled breaks, and one recognition dinner. Hotel accommodations and other meals are not included in the fee. Attention: Please book return flights departing from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018.
Cancellations received after WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018, will be assessed a 10% service fee.
To pay by credit card or with an electronic check for the course, click here.
To pay by check or wire transfer, fill out this form. Mail the form with your check to Northern Crops Institute (address below). Checks must be payable to Northern Crops Institute and drawn on a United States bank. Contact Northern Crops Institute for wire transfer instructions.
Daily Transportation:
Daily complimentary transportation will be provided during course activities. This includes all field trips in North Dakota and Minnesota. (During any allowed free-time, you will be responsible to arrange transportation.)
Hotel Information:
Northern Crops Institute has reserved a block of rooms at each designated hotel. DO NOT CONTACT THE HOTELS DIRECTLY TO RESERVE ROOMS.
Once you have confirmed your travel arrangements, please email your itinerary to Linda Briggs at linda.briggs@ndsu.edu and your name will be added to the room list at each hotel. A valid credit card is required upon check-in at each hotel to cover your room expenses. Hotel rooms and some meals ARE NOT included in the course registration fee.
Clubhouse Hotel & Suites
4400 1st Ave. S. Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: (701) 282-5777
Single Room Rate: $89 + 10.5% tax/night
Hampton Inn
310 Canal Park Dr., Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 720-3000
Single Room Rate: $139 +13.9% tax/night
Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America
2221 Killebrew Dr., Bloomington, MN 55425
Phone: (952)854-5555
Single Room Rate: $132 + 14.6% tax/night
Information and Special Requirements:
The course is offered in a non-smoking environment. You are welcome to wear casual business attire. If you have questions or special needs (dietary or physical requirements), please contact:
Northern Crops Institute
NDSU Dept. 7400
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050 USA
Phone: 701-231-7736
Fax: 701-231-7235
Email: nci@ndsu.edu
Website: www.northern-crops.com