A lot of money is invested in producing a crop. So why not invest in marketing
it? That’s just what many farmers are doing-through SCI Producer Services.
Headquartered in Memphis, TN, Sparks Companies, Inc. (SCI), a world leader in comprehensive agriculture, food industry, agribusiness and commodity research, information, analysis and consulting, recently expanded its on-farm consulting business through a new program called SCI Producer Services. The program assists farmers who strive for a higher, overall net
return for their crop production through the development of customized farm price risk management. This is done by integrating fundamental analyses of the commodity markets into crop marketing strategies.
This farm-based information service brings SCI’s extensive global agricultural risk management capabilities and information, which traditionally have served agribusinesses, directly to North America’s farmers, says Bruce Scherr, president and chief executive officer of SCI. With a core team of research analysts and consulting specialists, SCI services many of the world’s leading agribusiness firms.
SCI’s economic expertise and client base combine to provide unique insights and strategic and long-term planning for farmers and agribusinesses. “What we can do is take the information and resources available to large agribusinesses and bring that home to your farm,” says SCI Producer Services Manager Don Riffe.
“Using SCI’s vast information base, we can develop individual marketing strategies, tailor it to your particular needs, and help you improve your bottom line,” saysBill DuBard, SCI Producer Services marketing consultant. “And because every grower’s risk tolerance is different and every farmer’s marketing goals vary, we let farmers decide their own goals,” adds Jeff Driver, SCI Producer Services marketing consultant. “We then work with farmers to develop the best tailored market strategies for their particular operations,” Driver explains.
How does the service work?
SCI Producer Services targets cotton, rice, soybean, corn and wheat farmers. The fee for this service is $4 per acre. A profile of the farmer’s operation is developed with a producer survey as the starting point at sign up. Goals then are developed based on the farmer’s risk tolerance level and individual situation. Once a plan is formulated, SCI is in regular contact. Farmers receive daily information via fax or e-mail about SCI’s price outlooks, activity in the markets, and pertinent news and information that can impact prices and farmers marketing strategies.
What else do farmers receive when they join up with SCI’s Producer Services? Advice on using futures and options as risk management tools; Ongoing reviews of individual marketing strategies; Guidance on using government programs; Assistance in identifying and evaluating cash market and basis opportunities; Access to SCI’s market analysts; and Reduced
registration fees to attend SCI seminars and classes.
SCI Producer Services commodity research staff has a broad range of experience -- from cash flow management to risk analyses and consulting, government program analyses, and futures and options trading and hedging. And it is their expertise that helps take the emotion out of marketing a crop and helps improve a farmer’s overall net return.
SCI Producer Services is a complement to SCI’s other ongoing farm-based services, including Margin Quest, a strategic alliance between SCI and PIC, USA (focused at hog producers) and Market Maximizer, Inc. (MMI), SCI’s US-Canadian farm management advisory service.
For additional information about SCI Producer Services, contact Don Riffe, Bill DuBard or Jeff Driver at (901)766-4600 or see the SCI Web site at www.sparksco.com.