MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. — The International Grains Program (IGP) announced on Jan. 22 the 2013 Grain Purchasing course dates. Two, one-week sessions are planned for April 8-19 at the International Grains Program Conference Center in Manhattan, Kansas, U.S. 
In between the two weeks, the course participants will have the opportunity to join an optional field trip to the Port of New Orleans, the largest grain export port in the U.S.
The academic portion of the course will feature presentations from industry professionals with interactive activities and discussions. The first week will focus on contracting, transportation and logistics, and give participants the opportunity to network and learn from each other.
“The range of presentations that we feature in this course helps create a great learning environment where participants have the opportunity to expand their understanding of grain purchasing through discussion and interactive activities,” said Jay O’Neil, course coordinator and IGP senior agricultural economist. “Course presentations will provide grain buyers and traders with the tools needed to ensure product quality, while managing price risk and contract integrity.”
A participant from the 2012 Grain Purchasing course appreciated learning about the grain process from the field to the ship to the processing plant. After the course Kobie Kritzinger, Pretoria, South Africa, said it was good for him to learn and understand the production side of his job.
“I did well with the method of training at IGP, in an academic setting, the training is very practical and relatable,” Kritzinger said. “We always know that we get good grain from the United States, but now I can see exactly why it is high quality and the processes beyond the grain itself.”
To finish out the program, the second week will focus on trading techniques and hedging. Along with O’Neil, the course will highlight industry and academic presenters with experience in grain purchasing challenges.
“Each of the key fundamentals that international grain buyers and traders need to know to conduct their business in a proper way are taught and discussed in this course,” O’Neil said. “It is more than just educating people on how to write a contract and manage risk. We cover what professionals need to know to protect their company’s best interests and hopefully stay away from trouble.”
For more information or to register for this course, visit the IGP website at www.ksu.edu/igp.