Time remains to attend free price-risk management workshops

Four free workshops hosted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will focus on price-risk management strategies to help farmers better understand the futures market and other trading options to sell their commodities.

NCDA&CS staff will lead the series, “Managing Price Volatility by Using Futures and Options,” which runs through March 4.

Topics to be covered include an introduction to grain hedging, basis trading, cost of carry, cotton futures, energy derivatives, and options trading on futures, equities and indices. There will also be information on trading strategies to manage exposure to fluctuations in energy costs.

“The information covered in these workshops can help farmers improve their bottom line, which is critical in today’s challenging economic climate,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The classes are free and farmers are encouraged to take advantage of them.”

The workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at each location, with an on-your-own lunch break. Registration is not required.

Following are the schedule and locations:

• Thursday, Feb. 11 – Halifax Community College, Weldon, (252) 536-6343;
• Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Pasquotank Cooperative Extension Center, Elizabeth City, (252) 338-3954;
• Tuesday, March 2 – Stanly Community College, Crutchfield Campus, Locust, (704) 991-0378;
• Thursday, March 4 – Carolina Farm Credit, Statesville, (800) 521-9952.

For more, contact Nick Lassiter, NCDA&CS marketing specialist, at (919) 733-7887.