SDCGA offers technology class

Producers can learn to market crops in a fun, realistic market-simulation workshop, “Winning the Game” sponsored by the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

“Using Technology to Maximize Your Inputs” is the topic of seminars planned for Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ramkota Inn in Sioux Falls and Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Watertown Events Center Ramkota Inn. The programs will focus on marketing and precision farming.

Edward Usset, who will lead the marketing exercise, is one of the original developers of “Winning the Game” a grain marketing game where producers make pricing decisions. Usset, a grain marketing specialist for the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, will lead producers through an entertaining game designed to help them learn a practical approach to grain marketing that cuts through the fog of market opinions and commentary, helping producers make common sense decisions.

Harlan Paulson of Eastern Farmers Coop, another featured speaker during the seminars, will give producers the inside scoop about how precision farming technology can maximize their bottom line. Paulson will reveal how farmers can apply precision farming technology on their farms. He will detail how Eastern Farmers combines soil sampling with technology in Ag Chem equipment to help farmers achieve results by customizing field applications to specific needs of the soil.

“The SDCGA is excited to offer these technology seminars to help producers experiment with marketing without affecting their pocketbook and to learn more about precision farming practices,” said Reid Jensen, SDCGA president. “We encourage all South Dakota producers to take advantage of this great educational opportunity.”

The seminars are free and include lunch, but pre-registration is requested. For more information or to pre-register for the seminars, please call the SDCGA office at 604-334-0100. Seminar brochures are also available for viewing or to download from the SDCGA Web site, www.sdcorn.org under calendar events.