FORT WAYNE, Ind. — During an upcoming series of programs, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service will give farmers a chance to get their questions answered about marketing their grain as the demand for biofuels increases.

Grain Marketing In The Biofuels Era will be at select county extension offices via interactive video beginning January 22. Programs are also scheduled for January 29, February 5 and February 12. Each program features a different topic related to marketing grain.

At least 25 counties across the state will broadcast the program. Most will broadcast the series live.

Each session begins at 7 p.m. EST. Cost for the entire program is $20 and includes materials, handouts and refreshments. The registration deadline is Friday.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions farmers will probably have about marketing their grains,” said Gonzalee Martin, extension educator, agriculture and natural resources, for the Allen County extension office. “They need to get a good grasp on it now and they’ll probably need to change their marketing strategies.”

The first session will focus on marketing concepts and on futures markets. The second session will include information on options to manage price risk in volatile markets.

The topic for the third session is current and future pricing alternatives at the local buyer. The fourth session will focus on market decision-making in the new era.

“Farmers also have questions about diseases if they change their crop rotation,” Martin said.

“I’ve also heard questions about using CRP acreage. We hope to get all of these questions answered.”

Farmers should call their local county extension officers to find the nearest office hosting the seminars, and to register.

This farm news was published in the Jan. 3, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.