MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — Two sections of the IGP-KSU grain procurement and purchasing course will be offered to enhance grain industry professionals’ ability to purchase U.S. grains and commodities with greater effectiveness.

The basic course will be held April 20-24 and the advanced course will be offered April 28–May 2. Participants have the option of attending a supply chain field trip held in between the sections on April 24-27. Participants also have the option of taking both sections of the course concurrently.

The course series benefits individuals who are responsible for purchasing, importing, shipping and handling U.S. grains in both government and private settings. Participants attending the basic section can expect to investigate the U.S. supply chain, international freight markets, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) quality standards and grain exports.

During the advanced offering, participants can look forward to discussing topics on cash contracting, futures, trading strategies, options and price risk management strategies along with a continued discussion over current market events.

“Participants who attend either or both offerings of the IGP-KSU grain procurement and purchasing course will receive an in-depth look at the purchasing and trading commodities on an international scale,” said Guy Allen, IGP Institute senior agricultural economist and course manager. “If they choose to attend the offered field trip, they will also see first-hand how grains traded and transported through the U.S. supply chain.”

The field trip is planned to give participants a better understanding of the U.S. supply chain that delivers grain into the trade of international agricultural commodities. Participants will visit the CME group in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., rail and barge loading facilities, lock and dam systems, grain producers and several companies that directly handle the trading and transportation of commodities.

Previous course participant, Rolando Solis, charter manager for MF Grains in Panama City, Panama, said he benefited from learning more about all the different parts that make up the grain industry.

“This course gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with the grain industry,” Solis said. “I understand more of the importance of properly managed grains, manage risks in such a volatile environment and how communication and news can play a big role in what we do.”