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“The things you learn here…will serve each one of you well. It has served me well. It has given me a lot of opportunities, of which I am very thankful. Be a leader in your community.”
Lorenz educates in grain
Pete Lorenz, a National Farmers grain marketing representative, covered current market conditions and how they are affecting cash sales and risk management opportunities. He spoke about the outside influences in grain markets, and things producers can do on their own to deal with volatility. “And perhaps most importantly, when farmers work together they can have some control over what happens to their grain prices.”
Food system examined
Dr. Mary Hendrickson, Extension assistant professor at the University of Missouri, spoke about the global and consolidated food system, and the impact concentration will have on the future of domestic production.
Hendrickson covered food retailing, and the role private equity has played in agriculture.
“Consumers are increasingly worried about where their food is coming from, efforts addressing quality and safety is a quickly growing sector.”
She said when producers decide to move away from commodity livestock sales and into specialized markets, they should focus on producing high quality products, see that consumers pay more for that quality and safety, and make sure those consumers continue to eat that product and remain loyal to that brand.
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