Course Description:

This non-credit professional certificate course from Iowa State University is designed for individuals involved in crop production and marketing who want to enhance their understanding of grain markets and risk management. Previously offered as an in-person workshop, it is now available online in a flexible, self-paced format.

Developed in partnership with Iowa Farm Bureau and ISU Extension and Outreach, the course features expert instruction, video presentations, interactive activities, and quizzes. Participants will explore key topics such as price movements, basis estimation, futures and options trading, contract selection, and marketing plan development.

The course emphasizes risk management and strategic decision-making. While examples focus on corn and soybeans, the concepts apply to other commodities like wheat and cotton and are relevant to U.S. and international markets.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define key concepts in crop marketing and marketing success.
• Apply risk management strategies such as basis estimation, futures hedging, options trading, and pre-harvest marketing.
• Select crop marketing contracts suited to market conditions.
• Evaluate marketing tools—including futures, options, and forward contracts—to manage price and basis risk.

Topics Covered:

• Market planning and price movement fundamentals
• Basis movements and cost of ownership
• Crop marketing and forward cash contracts
• Futures accounts, margins, and hedging strategies
• Options trading: puts, calls, and option values
• Marketing new crops and addressing marketing concerns
• Crop Marketing Matrix and wrap-up

Intended Audience:
This course is ideal for row crop managers, ag lenders, grain merchandisers, agronomists, and farmers. It also benefits professionals who use crop marketing tools or work in global commodity markets.

Course Procedures:
The course runs from November through March and takes approximately 60 hours to complete. Learners move through modules at their own pace, with required items completed before advancing. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all assessments.

Assessments Include:

• Scenario-based activities
• Quizzes (unlimited attempts; 80% or higher required)

Iowa Farm Bureau members: Receive a $50 rebate upon completion. Contact zbrummer@ifbf.org for details.

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For questions, contact Dr. Chad Hart, chart@iastate.edu