South Africa has become, after deregulation, part of the global village. This brought about many business opportunities, but with it came many challenges with respect to grain marketing. It is well-known facts that the marketing of grain has become quite a challenge in S.A. South African producers do not receive support from government as far as input subsidies and significant import tariffs are concerned and have to make sure that they stay ahead of rising input costs in order to produce maize on a profitable basis. It is therefore extremely important for any maize farmer in South Africa to make use of the best grain marketing strategies at his or her disposal. Choosing the best grain marketing strategy will not only assist the producers to receive the best price for their produce, but will also serve as a very effective risk mitigation strategy. The general objective of the study is to examine different marketing strategies and to determine the optimal maize marketing strategy for a representative farm located in the Mpumalanga Highveld for a specific season under volatile marketing and environmental conditions. A representative farm for the Mpumalanga Highveld is constructed, based on production data, budgeted financial statements, general financial management and the complete farm setup as obtained from a farmer study group located in the district of Middelburg, Mpumalanga Highveld, The most general maize marketing strategies available for the representative farm is identified and discussed as far as each of their advantages and disadvantages are concerned. The complete farm setup for the representative farm is used to develop a budgeting and maize marketing model. This is done in conjunction with three different scenarios, which cover the most frequent circumstances in which producers can find themselves. With the help of this model, the optimal marketing strategies are determined which yields the optimal profit and minimize price risk for the representative farm. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Virginia's regional grain prices exhibit high volatility due to the state's unique spatial variability and supply and demand fundamentals. This study explains Virginia's basis patterns for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Discussion of times when there were outstanding economic or fundamental market movers that affected basis in Virginia is also offered. The feasibility and process of hedging using futures is explained and evaluated in a case study. Possible marketing decisions based on the findings are presented in an easy and accessible manner, so that producers and extension agents can use this information to make real-time grain marketing decisions. / Master of Science / Virginia's regional grain prices exhibit high volatility due to the state's unique spatial variability and supply and demand fundamentals. This study explains Virginia's basis patterns for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Discussion of times when there were outstanding economic or fundamental market movers that affected basis in Virginia is also offered. The feasibility and process of hedging using futures is explained and evaluated in a case study. Possible marketing decisions based on the findings are presented in an easy and accessible manner, so that producers and extension agents can use this information to make real-time grain marketing decisions.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Michael A. Boland / The purpose of this thesis is to identify Greenfield grain facility sites within 100 miles of Holdrege, Nebraska and to evaluate the feasibility of these sites. CHS Agri Service Center currently has facilities that are within 50 miles of Holdrege, Nebraska. However there are no Greenfield sites in this area that would be feasible due to a large number of competitors already operating in this area. This problem was broken down into two components. The first is site selection and the second is a financial model using net present value to determine if the sites selected would be profitable to the standards that CHS, Inc. requires (12% or better return on assets). In order to determine where Greenfield sites might be located supply and demand factors were evaluated to determine surplus and deficit grain areas. The areas where there were large surpluses of grain have the greatest potential for a Greenfield facility to succeed. Then a feasibility analysis of the chosen sites is conducted using net present value and internal rate of return analysis to determine if there is enough grain volume to operate the grain facility above the 12% return on assets criterion. After a detailed review of the supply and demand factors of grain in the region, two locations were determined to be good candidates for further study. Based on recent projects completed at CHS, Inc. two model facilities were created as tools to determine if a certain facility type is more profitable than another. The cost structures for these two model facilities are based on costs that are currently incurred at CHS Agri Service Center locations. It was found that neither facility at either location was profitable enough to meet the minimum performance criteria required by CHS, Inc. As a result of these findings it may be possible to move ahead with a Greenfield facility at one of these sites if a higher volume can be obtained. A merger with another grain company in the immediate area of the proposed facility may be the best way to increase volume.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-235) Develops a coherent theoretical framework to analyse the formulation of grain procurement policy for the entire history of the PRC. An optimization model is constructed to capture Chinese policy makers' preferences regarding the competing objectives of sectoral income distribition and food security, as well as the factors governing the trade-off between thes two objectives and the choice of policy instruments. Also analyses the impacts of China's accession to WTO on its grain sector. To explain the numerous failures of China's grain policy, studies the problems arising from policy formulation and implementation.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Jason Bergtold / In the grain industry, producers have sold grain for a long time over the telephone. This thesis suggests significant changes in grain marketing strategies and why other methods of selling grain may help both producers and grain merchandisers be more effective with cash grain transactions. Specifically, the use of web-based applications that allow growers to make, manage and monitor grain offers and use mobile technology for grain marketing solutions. This thesis evaluates two key technology options for agricultural producers. First, the research evaluates factors that impact traded bushels on Farms Technology’s private internet technology trading platform, the Dynamic Pricing Platform (DPP). The second element of the research defines a model which examines likelihood of growers adopting mobile trading technology to increase grain marketing opportunities. A thorough understanding of these two marketing platforms will allow Farms Technology to increase the number of growers opting to use technology to execute cash grain sales, which is financially beneficial to the company. Results indicate that a number of online variables significantly impact online grain trade, in addition to factors that specifically influence the potential adoption of mobile technology by agricultural producers. Results help quantify many insights which Farms Technology has developed in relation to online grade trading and uncovered future possibilities in the online grade trading industry. Statically significant factors that impact grain traded on the DPP include: acres (farm size), on-farm storage, percent of grain sold over the phone, offered bushels, and whether or not farmers received text messages. With respect to mobile application adoption, results identified factors that significantly and positively impact the likelihood of mobile adoption, including: farmers with no cell phone, farmers that are currently receiving text messages, farmers owning a smart phone, and customer service rating for Farms Technology by the farmer. Variables that significantly and negatively impacted mobile adoption included: farmers currently selling on the DPP and farmers who believe the online DPP application is too difficult to use.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-235) / ix, 235 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Develops a coherent theoretical framework to analyse the formulation of grain procurement policy for the entire history of the PRC. An optimization model is constructed to capture Chinese policy makers' preferences regarding the competing objectives of sectoral income distribition and food security, as well as the factors governing the trade-off between thes two objectives and the choice of policy instruments. Also analyses the impacts of China's accession to WTO on its grain sector. To explain the numerous failures of China's grain policy, studies the problems arising from policy formulation and implementation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Economics, 2003

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-235) / ix, 235 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Develops a coherent theoretical framework to analyse the formulation of grain procurement policy for the entire history of the PRC. An optimization model is constructed to capture Chinese policy makers' preferences regarding the competing objectives of sectoral income distribition and food security, as well as the factors governing the trade-off between thes two objectives and the choice of policy instruments. Also analyses the impacts of China's accession to WTO on its grain sector. To explain the numerous failures of China's grain policy, studies the problems arising from policy formulation and implementation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Economics, 2003