Suggested Agenda for Marketing Clubs in Montana

First Meeting:

• Determine group goals and interest, discuss structure (informational vs. trading or simulation club), determine dues, select meeting times/location

Second Meeting:

• Select officers, collect dues, determine by-laws, set up trading account with a broker (if necessary).
• Additional Meeting Topic: Improving Profits through Price Risk Management (an overview of how improved marketing skills can increase profits)
• Suggested Speaker: Respected local producer successful at commodity marketing

Third Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Understanding Market Fundamentals
• Establish subcommittees (focused on particular contracts, weather conditions, individual wheat classes, etc.), which will report back at each meeting.
• Suggested Speakers: MSU Extension Specialists, grain merchandisers, brokers

Fourth Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Understanding USDA Supply and Production Reports and Their Impact on Markets
• Suggested Speakers: MSU Extension Specialists, USDA officials, speakers arranged by MGGA

Fifth Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Developing a Farm Marketing Plan
• Suggested Speakers: MSU Extension Specialists, ag lender, extension agent

Sixth Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Understanding, Tracking and Managing Basis
• Suggested Speakers: Local grain merchandiser, broker, extension agent

Seventh Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Understanding and Using Cash Contracts (This topic may take two  or more meetings to sufficiently cover)
• Suggested Speakers: Local grain merchandiser, producers, extension agents

Eighth Meeting:

• Meeting Topic: Understanding and Using Futures Contracts (This topic may take two or more meetings to sufficiently cover).
• Suggested Speaker: Commodity broker