Research to investigate grain marketing and associated risk management strategies within South Australia and to subsequently determine future education and training needs of primary producers.

This project will investigate South Australian grain growers position within the physical and derivatives grain marketing space following the 2007-2008 growing season. It aims to assess farmers? grain marketing decision making strategies, attitudes and behaviours with regard to risk management now and in following growing seasons.

Specific project objectives include:

• Review SA growers existing grain marketing strategies.
• Investigate the extent to which South Australian farmers had to ?washout? forward selling commitments (or alternative option) in the 2007-2008 growing season and the financial consequences.
• Assess the capacity and skills of grain growers to identify and implement risk management strategies.
• Investigate how grain producers make decisions about marketing their grain in a deregulated environment.
• Determine how growers will adjust their risk management plans, in the 2008-2009 growing season, in response to their own and others? past experiences.
• Review the effectiveness of grain marketing and risk management education and training.
• Explore farmers? learning needs for managing grain marketing risks in the future.

This project is supported by The South Australian government, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the South Australian Farmers? Federation. These organisations are collaborating to investigate grain marketing and associated risk management strategies within South Australia as this information is integral to shaping future Government responses and determining the needs of primary producers.