Advanced Grain Procurement Strategies Short Course
May 9-13, 2005
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Traditionally, a photograph of the course participants is taken on the first day of class. At the end of the course, each participant receives a copy of the photo along with a certificate of course completion.
Due to weather delays, one participant arrived on the second day. Since he wanted to be on the class photo, we arranged to have a second photo taken.
Twenty-one participants from 10 nations attended the Advanced Grain short course May 9-13. They came from Taiwan, Indonesia, Turkey, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, and the USA.
The participants toured the Alton Grain Terminal near Hillsboro, ND. Brad Kjar, terminal manager, explained how the shuttle train facility operates.
Dr. Bill Wilson, professor of agribusiness and applied economics at NDSU, is the major instructor of the course. Dr. Wilson discusses how to develop, execute and integrate price risk management strategies.
Dr. David Bullock, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, assists students with an options trading game.
John Oades, U.S. Wheat Associates, points out certain wheat contract specifications that will assist the importers in getting the quality of wheat that they want.
Participants from Taiwan and Indonesia discuss their strategies for mock trading during options games, while NCI Director Pat Berglund (standing) looks on.
Chris Davis, Wells Fargo Bank, Minneapolis, MN, explains the international money market and give tips on how to manage foreign exchange risks.
John Crabtree, NCI Assistant Director (far right), listens to a participant's question during the short course.
Two women from Mexico participate in the computer hands-on segment of the Monte Carlo Simulation session.
Strategizing during the options trading games.
Susan Blomer, Scoular Company, Overland Park, KS, discusses freight management in the Mexico market.
Ricardo Garcia from , FC Stone, Kansas City, MO, explains corn purchasing strategies in a breakout session with our Mexican participants.
Saying goodbye at the end of the course, each participant leaves with an NCI tote bag to carry home all the information they've collected during the course.
Many friendships and professional relationships are made during the courses.