Two risk management workshops are scheduled for parts of Iowa this month. The USDA Risk Management Agency, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension, Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa Pork Producers Association are sponsoring these interactive swine editions of Margin Maker.

The workshops provide a hands-on means of practicing risk management skills without risking actual assets.

“Producers will learn how controlling cost is just as important as protecting revenue, and learn how to ‘strike when the iron is hot,”’ says ISU Extension field specialist Dave Stender. “They’ll practice risk management skills in a market simulation and learn strategies in an enjoyable environment, with interaction and good-natured competition among others in the workshop.”

Prior to attending a workshop, attendees are strongly encouraged to visit http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/margins for updated informational videos and written materials on risk management and hog crush margin.

Besides Stender, workshop presenters at the northwest Iowa sessions are ISU extension agriculture economics specialist Shane Ellis and ISU extension farm management field specialist Tom Olsen.

Access the program brochure at www.ipic.iastate.edu/events/RMAbrochureNW.pdf.

The northwest Iowa workshops include:

--Feb. 11, 10 a.m., Storm Lake, Buena Vista County Extension Office, 824 Flindt Drive;

--Feb. 11, 4 p.m., Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, Building C, Room 305;

--Feb. 12, 10 a.m., Algona, Kossuth County Extension Office, 1121-B Hwy. 18 E.

Pre-registration is encouraged. Contact Stender by phone (712) 225-6196, fax (712) 225-3173 or e-mail dstender@iastate.edu.

Four workshops are scheduled in northern and eastern Iowa, featuring ISU extension specialist Shane Ellis and, depending on location, ISU extension swine field specialists Miller, Russ Euken and Mark Storlie.

Access the program brochure at www.ipic.iastate.edu/events/RMAbrochureNE.pdf.

Pre-registration is requested. Contact Miller by phone (319) 653-4811, fax (319) 653-6712 or e-mail tmiller@iastate.edu.

The northern and eastern Iowa workshops are:

--Feb. 17, 1 p.m., Nashua, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm, Borlaug Center, 3327 290th St.;

--Feb. 18, 10 a.m., Manchester, Delaware County Extension Office, 1417 N. Franklin;

--Feb. 18, 4 p.m., Tipton, Cedar County Extension Office, 107 Cedar St.;

--Feb. 19, 10 a.m., Washington, Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St.