The University of Arkansas Global Campus, The University of Arkansas Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness,
and White Commercial Corporation present

Basis Trading Administration (Level 1)
Certificate Program
Not for Academic Credit

---

---

This online class is designed to teach industry professionals the proper procedures and daily routines involved in the execution and administration of basis transactions.

The Ag industry is a bright spot in the economy today. Opportunities in the grain business continue to grow even when the overall economy is weak. This class takes the first step in developing the specialized knowledge and skills grain companies are looking for to strengthen and grow the merchandising side of their operations. The desire for these skills is not limited to just the grain industry, but also includes the businesses that service them like the finance, accounting and futures clearing sectors. These are the skills and specialized knowledge that open doors for the opportunity of employment and promotion in today’s agri-businesses.

This professional development class is a result of the longtime collaboration between the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and White Commercial Corporation of Stuart, Fla., and Kansas City. If you are seeking academic credit, please find instructions and information on the Global Campus distance education pages.

A student can earn a Certificate of Achievement in Basis Trading Administration (Level 1) upon successful completion of the class with a grade of C or better.

Class Goals:The goal of the class is for students to gain a detailed working knowledge of how basis trading concepts and practices are applied to agricultural markets and to develop a skill set that can be put immediately into practice in any basis trading operation.

Class Objectives: The class is delivered in three units with these objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts and practices of basis trading. Upon completion of this unit students will have the skills to:
• Converse in the language of basis trading.
• Carry out basis transactions, including the execution of buy basis, sell basis and spreading activities.
• Do proper and accurate basis calculations.
• Identify basis patterns and evaluate basis risks
• Develop a working knowledge of the proper procedures and routines involved in the execution and administration of a grain company’s daily basis trading activities. Upon completion of this unit students will have the skills to:
• Identify and evaluate the company’s price risk position.
• Execute appropriate futures transactions based on company hedging policies.
• Reconcile statements of cash and futures positions.
• Calculate financial requirements and needs of cash and futures positions.
• Identify and evaluate the company’s basis risk position.
• Develop an understanding of the methods available for grain operations to generate margins through basis trading. Upon completion of this unit students will have the skills to:
• Aid in the administration and execution of long-the-basis positions.
• Aid in the administration and execution of short-the-basis positions.
• Gain an understanding and appreciation for real world grain merchandising.

Location: Class is delivered online in a virtual classroom. All materials are accessed via the Internet and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so material may be covered at any time, including evenings and weekends.

Class Schedule: Class extends over a 10-week period, running May 28 – August 6, 2013. (A class orientation is included on May 28, followed by 10 weeks of online instruction). There are no scheduled meeting times but the class follows a specific schedule and students are required to view, complete and submit assignments weekly. Instructors are available for individual consultation by e-mail and phone.

Required Text: The Art of Grain Merchandising (Silver Edition), authors: Lorton, S. and White, D.
Published by Stipes Publishing Company, ISBN 978-1-58874-955-0. Students should purchase books through White Commercial at http://www.whitecommercial.com/resources/art-of-grain.aspx.

Pre-Requisite: Interest in learning the skills and daily routines of basis trading as it relates to a grain merchandising operation.
A Certificate of Achievement in Basis Trading Administration is granted upon satisfactory completion of the class with a grade of C or better.

The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas conducts economic and social research which focuses on the production and distribution of agricultural products, the use of natural resources and the needs of rural people. To learn about other educational offerings, visit http://agribus.uark.edu.

White Commercial Corporation is a team of long-term employees representing years of practical experience in futures clearing and grain trading.

Since 1978, the corporation has been a team pursuing a singular goal - to educate, motivate, and support country grain businesses. The team helps country elevators, feed mills, and rice dryers improve their margins and capture new opportunities for profit while creating win-win situations with the growers and end users of their products. For over 30 years, this has been the focus and the corporation has never wavered from it.

White Commercial takes pride in being part of an industry that creates economic growth in rural America and helps feed the growing appetite of an entire planet. Visit http://www.whitecommercial.com to learn more.

The Global Campus (School of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach) partners with other university units, businesses and organizations to offer innovative learning solutions for people seeking to maintain professional certification, boost their skills, or obtain undergraduate or graduate degrees online or off-campus. The Global Campus is the portal for online and distance education degree programs and courses offered by the university's academic units.