Organic Grain Marketing Webinar Set

Please mark your calendar for an Online Microsoft TEAMS Webinar discussing Organic Grain Markets in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.  The meeting will be held on Monday, November 18 at 1:00 pm (CST) on TEAMS.  To register, just click the link below and you will be directed to a registration page and be sure to include the invite on your reminder calendar. Need help with getting on a TEAMS Webinar just click this link to learn how: TEAMS Webinar Made Simple

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is pleased to present this Organic Grain Marketing Webinar, bringing together both organic grain farmers and buyers (mills, processors, feedlots, dairy) to discuss key criteria for producing high-quality grains and meeting market demands. The event will feature special presentations from Argus Media Group, offering insights into organic grain market trends and reporting. Also included will be engaging discussion from selected growers and buyers on what it takes to produce and purchase organic grains that meet organic industry standards. There is no cost to participate, just be sure to register so you can get information to sign onto the program webinar.

The State of Organic Grain Markets: Why Take Action?

You may be wondering why this meeting is crucial, or why you should participate. Frankly, I’ve been hesitant to host such events because these discussions often bring tension from both growers and buyers. Yet, the current state of organic grain markets leaves me no choice but to step in. Here are some pressing issues that have been affecting the market, creating inefficiencies and frustrations that this webinar aims to address:

1. Price Transparency Issues
   Many organic farmers feel they are operating in the dark. Unlike conventional markets with established price discovery systems, organic grain pricing remains inconsistent and opaque. Farmers struggle to find reliable data on market prices, making it difficult to plan their production effectively. Buyers, on the other hand, are uncertain whether they are paying a fair price, which can lead to friction in negotiations. This meeting aims to shed light on the data gaps and discuss ways to make the market more transparent.
2. Limited Market Information
   A lack of comprehensive market data on organic grains affects both supply and demand. Farmers don’t have access to real-time demand forecasts or historical data, which leads to overproduction or underproduction. This not only results in wasted resources but also impacts profitability. Buyers are equally frustrated by the lack of a consistent supply, as farmers cannot adequately meet demand when production planning is based on incomplete information. By bringing buyers and sellers together, we aim to establish better communication and data sharing practices to bridge this gap.
3. Reluctance to Share Information
   Another issue is the reluctance among industry players to share market information. Some participants prefer to keep their cards close to the chest, fearing that sharing too much data might give their competitors an advantage. However, this creates a fragmented market, where both buyers and sellers are unable to make fully informed decisions. This webinar will serve as a platform to address the hesitations and work toward more collaborative market practices.
4. Fragmented Market Systems
   The organic grain market is fragmented, with different regions operating under different pricing and demand systems. What sells for a premium in one region might be undervalued in another, and there is no easy way for farmers to tap into broader markets. This disconnect limits opportunities for growth and scalability. One goal of this meeting is to identify ways to standardize market systems, making it easier for farmers to access new markets and for buyers to secure consistent supplies.
5. Incentives to Engage in Market Information Systems
   Smaller organic grain producers often see little incentive to participate in formal market reporting. The perceived complexity and lack of immediate benefits discourage farmers from engaging in platforms that could, over time, benefit the entire market. Through discussions with both buyers and sellers, we hope to explore solutions that could offer better incentives for engagement, such as direct market access or premiums for those who participate.

By addressing these issues head-on, this webinar offers a unique opportunity for both growers and buyers to not only learn from each other but to actively shape the future of the organic grain market.

I got this information below which also highlights the need for more information.