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	<title>Risk Management Blog</title>
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	<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress</link>
	<description>Blog</description>
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		<title>Stochastic Budget Tools Updated</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=176</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=176#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:36:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=176</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The stochastic budget tools in the Risk Navigator toolbox have been updated. We now have available both a Stochastic Crop Budget Generator tool and a Stochastic Livestock Budget Generator tool. The Stochastic Crop Budget Generator tool was updated to correct some error problems with the handling of symmetric distributions. Some other minor issues with orphaned [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The stochastic budget tools in the Risk Navigator toolbox have been updated. We now have available both a Stochastic Crop Budget Generator tool and a Stochastic Livestock Budget Generator tool.</p>
<p>The <a title="Stochastic Crop Budget Generator tool" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/toolbox/StochasticCropBudgetGenerator/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stochastic Crop Budget Generator </a>tool was updated to correct some error problems with the handling of symmetric distributions. Some other minor issues with orphaned links was also cleared up. The tool was also converted to Excel 2010 format.</p>
<p>The <a title="Stochastic Livestock Budget Generator tool" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/toolbox/StochasticLivestockBudgetGenerator/default.aspx" target="_blank">Stochastic Livestock Budget Generator </a>tool is new as of October 2011. Built off of the Stochastic Crop Budget Generator model, it provides a stochastic budget tool pre-populated with livestock information and containing a basic livestock herd information input page for added convenience.</p>
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		<title>Help Wanted: The Next Generation of Agricultural Producers</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=147</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=147#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=147</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join us February 28, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in Hadley, Massachusetts for &#8220;Help Wanted: The next Generation of Agricultural Producers.&#8221; The program will start at 7:00 pm with a presentation on the aging agriculture producer population and funding programs available to entice the next generation to enter the industry. It will also include presentations on [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Join us February 28, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in Hadley, Massachusetts for &#8220;Help Wanted: The <em>next</em> Generation of Agricultural Producers.&#8221; The program will start at 7:00 pm with a presentation on the aging agriculture producer population and funding programs available to entice the next generation to enter the industry. It will also include presentations on Determining the Feasibility of New Ag Ventures, Records Needed for Ag Programs,  and conclude with an open forum on issues involved with getting started with agricultural management. Program details can be found by clicking the link below.</p>
<p><a title="Help Wanted: The Next Generation of Agricultural Producers" href="http://www.OptimalAg.com/workshops/2011_02_RRFlyer_HadleyEVENING_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Help Wanted: The <em>next</em> Generation of Agricultural Producers</a></p>
<p>This event is being presented by <a title="RightRisk, LLC website" href="http://www.erightrisk.com/" target="_blank">RightRisk, LLC</a> in cooperation with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation with funding support from <a title="USDA Risk Management Agency website" href="http://www.rma.usda.gov/" target="_blank">USDA Risk Management Agency</a>.</p>
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		<title>Risk Management in Massachusetts Agriculture</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=144</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=144#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:55:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=144</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join us February 28, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in Hadley, Massachusetts for &#8220;Risk Management for Massachusetts Agriculture.&#8221; The program will start at noon with a working lunch and an Introduction to Risk Management in Agriculture presentation. It will also include presentations on Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance Programs, Making Risk Management Decisions on the Chesapeake Maryland [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Join us February 28, 2011 at the Comfort Inn in Hadley, Massachusetts for &#8220;Risk Management for Massachusetts Agriculture.&#8221; The program will start at noon with a working lunch and an Introduction to Risk Management in Agriculture presentation. It will also include presentations on Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance Programs, Making Risk Management Decisions on the Chesapeake Maryland Farm (an <a title="Ag Survivor website" href="http://www.agsurvivor.com/" target="_blank">Ag Survivor</a> farm simulation),  and 10-Steps for Strategic Risk Management in Agriculture. Program details can be found by clicking the link below.</p>
<p><a title="Risk Management in Massachusetts Agriculture" href="http://www.OptimalAg.com/workshops/2011_02_RRFlyer_HadleyNOON_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Risk Management for Massachusetts Agriculture</a></p>
<p>This event is being presented by <a title="RightRisk, LLC website" href="http://www.erightrisk.com/" target="_blank">RightRisk, LLC</a> in cooperation with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation with funding support from <a title="USDA Risk Management Agency website" href="http://www.rma.usda.gov/" target="_blank">USDA Risk Management Agency</a>.</p>
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		<title>Big Horn Basin Farms Risk Simulation Update: Version 2.0 Now Available</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=140</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=140#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:56:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=140</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Version 2.0 of the Ag Survivor Big Horn Basin Farms risk simulation scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at http://www.AgSurvivor.com/bhbFarms.aspx This update includes the addition of the distribution screens at the conclusion of the scenario, the addition of more price trend graph screens, updates for more complete lease payment [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Version 2.0 of the Ag Survivor Big Horn Basin Farms risk simulation scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at</p>
<p><a title="Big Horn Basin Farms" href="http://www.AgSurvivor.com/bhbfarms.aspx" target="_self">http://www.AgSurvivor.com/bhbFarms.aspx</a></p>
<p>This update includes the addition of the distribution screens at the conclusion of the scenario, the addition of more price trend graph screens, updates for more complete lease payment and insurance indemnity calculations, and some minor bug fixes.</p>
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		<title>High Plains Ranch Version 3.1 Released</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=136</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=136#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:45:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=136</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Version 3.1 of the Ag Survivor High Plains Ranch scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at http://www.AgSurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx This update includes updates to the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Vegetation Index insurance component of the simulation and a couple of minor bug fixes. RMA 2011 PRF insurance premium rates [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Version 3.1 of the Ag Survivor High Plains Ranch scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at</p>
<p><a href="http://www.agsurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx">http://www.AgSurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx</a></p>
<p>This update includes updates to the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Vegetation Index insurance component of the simulation and a couple of minor bug fixes. RMA 2011 PRF insurance premium rates and indemnity calculation formulas are included in this release.</p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2&#038;p=136</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Strategic Risk Management 101 Module 8 &#8220;Choosing a Risk Management Plan&#8221; Presentation Now Available</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=132</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=132#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=132</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Strategic Risk Management 101 course Module 8 presentation on Step 7 of the Strategic Risk Management Process is now available on the web. Step 7 is how to Choose the Best Risk Management Alternative. Also available as a part of Module 8 is a tutorial on Risk Ranker tool. The entire Strategic Risk Management 101 course consists [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Strategic Risk Management 101 course <a title="SRM 101 Module 8" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/rm101m8.aspx" target="_self">Module 8 presentation </a>on Step 7 of the Strategic Risk Management Process is now available on the <a title="SRM 101 Module 8" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/rm101m8.aspx" target="_self">web</a>. Step 7 is how to Choose the Best Risk Management Alternative.</p>
<p>Also available as a part of Module 8 is a <a title="Module 8 Tutorial" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/rm101m8.aspx" target="_self">tutorial</a> on <a title="Risk Ranker tool" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/toolbox/RiskRanker/default.aspx" target="_self">Risk Ranker tool</a>.</p>
<p>The entire <a title="SRM 101 Course" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/course.aspx" target="_self">Strategic Risk Management 101 course </a>consists of 10 modules and is available on the <a title="Risk Navigator SRM website" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/default.aspx" target="_self">RiskNavigatorSRM.com </a>website.</p>
<p>This work was funded in part by the <a title="USDA Risk Management Agency" href="http://www.rma.usda.gov/" target="_blank">USDA Risk Management Agency</a>.</p>
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		<title>Strategic Risk Management 101 Module 10 Marketing Risk Presentation Now Available</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=128</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=128#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:27:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=128</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Strategic Risk Management 101 course Module 10 presentation on Marketing Risk is now available on the web. The entire Strategic Risk Management 101 course consists of 10 modules and is available on the RiskNavigatorSRM.com website. This work was funded in part by the USDA Risk Management Agency.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Strategic Risk Management 101 course <a title="SRM 101 Module 10" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/rm101m10.aspx" target="_self">Module 10 presentation </a>on Marketing Risk is now available on the <a title="SRM 101 Module 10" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/rm101m10.aspx" target="_self">web</a>.</p>
<p>The entire <a title="SRM 101 Course" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/course.aspx" target="_self">Strategic Risk Management 101 course </a>consists of 10 modules and is available on the <a title="Risk Navigator SRM website" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/default.aspx" target="_self">RiskNavigatorSRM.com </a>website.</p>
<p>This work was funded in part by the <a title="USDA Risk Management Agency" href="http://www.rma.usda.gov" target="_blank">USDA Risk Management Agency</a>.</p>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Drought Risk Management Program in Weyers Cave, Virginia</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=120</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=120#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:49:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=120</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join us August 25th at the Weyers Cave Community Center in Weyers Cave, Virginia for &#8220;Drought Risk Management for Grazing and Haying Operations.&#8221; The program will start at 10:15 am and include presentations on Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance, the Noninsurable Crop Assistance Program (NAP) and a fun, interactive RightRisk Ag Survivor simulation workshop. Program details [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Join us August 25th at the Weyers Cave Community Center in Weyers Cave, Virginia for &#8220;Drought Risk Management for Grazing and Haying Operations.&#8221; The program will start at 10:15 am and include presentations on Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance, the Noninsurable Crop Assistance Program (NAP) and a fun, interactive RightRisk <a title="Ag Survivor website" href="http://www.AgSurvivor.com" target="_blank">Ag Survivor</a> simulation workshop. Program details can be found by clicking the link below.</p>
<p><a title="Drought Risk Management Flyer" href="http://www.OptimalAg.com/workshops/PRFP%20Educational%20Seminar%2025AUG10.pdf" target="_blank">Drought Risk Management for Grazing and Haying Operations</a></p>
<p>This event is being presented by <a title="RightRisk, LLC website" href="http://www.eRightRisk.com" target="_blank">RightRisk, LLC</a> in cooperation with <a title="Virginia Cooperative Extension" href="http://www.ext.vt.edu" target="_blank">Virginia Cooperative Extension </a>with funding support from <a title="USDA Risk Management Agency website" href="http://www.rma.usda.gov" target="_blank">USDA Risk Management Agency</a>, Farm Credit of the Virginias, and the First Bank &amp; Trust Company.</p>
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		<title>NNTAO August Conference in Arizona</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=112</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=112#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:11:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workshops]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=112</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join us August 5th and 6th at the Seba Dalkai School in Arizona for the Navajo Nation Traditional Agricultural Outreach (NNTAO) Farmers and Rancher Workshop and Roundtable Event. Registration and program details can be found by clicking the link below. NNTAO August Conference Invitation and Registration This two-day event is being organized by Developing Innovations [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Join us August 5th and 6th at the Seba Dalkai School in Arizona for the Navajo Nation Traditional Agricultural Outreach (NNTAO) Farmers and Rancher Workshop and Roundtable Event. Registration and program details can be found by clicking the link below.</p>
<p><a title="Open NNTAO Conference Registration Form" href="http://www.OptimalAg.com/workshops/NNTAO%20August%20Conference%20Invitation%20and%20Registration-1.pdf" target="_blank">NNTAO August Conference Invitation and Registration</a></p>
<p>This two-day event is being organized by <a title="Visit NavajoFarms.org web page" href="http://www.navajofarms.org" target="_blank">Developing Innovations in Navajo Education, Inc. </a>with funding support from USDA. On day one of the event we will be presenting one-hour programs on each of the first three steps in the Strategic Risk Management Process.</p>
<p>Here is our schedule on August 5th:</p>
<p>11:00 am &#8211; Noon <a title="Step 1 of Strategic Risk Management process" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/step1.aspx">Step 1 Determining Financial Health </a>(Jay Parsons)<br />
1:00 pm &#8211; 2:00 pm <a title="Step 2 of Strategic Risk Management process" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/step2.aspx">Step 2 Determining Risk Preferences </a>(Dana Hoag)<br />
2:15 pm &#8211; 3:15 pm <a title="Step 3 of Strategic Risk Management process" href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/step3.aspx">Step 3 Establishing Risk Management Goals </a>(Parsons)</p>
<p>We&#8217;ll be covering each of these steps in considerable depth and have some hands-on training opportunities available with some of the associated Risk Navigator SRM <a href="http://www.risknavigatorsrm.com/toolbox/toollist.aspx">tools</a>.</p>
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		<title>High Plains Ranch Version 3.0 Released</title>
		<link>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=104</link>
		<comments>http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=104#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:03:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jparsons</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Website updates]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://optimalag.com/wordpress/?p=104</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Version 3.0 of the Ag Survivor High Plains Ranch scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at http://www.AgSurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx This update includes a major update to the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Vegetation Index insurance component of the simulation. For the 2010 crop year, RMA changed the intervals that were [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Version 3.0 of the Ag Survivor High Plains Ranch scenario has now been released and is available on the Ag Survivor website at</p>
<p><a href="http://www.AgSurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx">http://www.AgSurvivor.com/HighPlains.aspx</a></p>
<p>This update includes a major update to the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Vegetation Index insurance component of the simulation. For the 2010 crop year, <a href="http://www.rma.usda.gov">RMA</a> changed the intervals that were available. High Plains Ranch version 3.0 reflects that change as well as updating vegetation index data, PRF premium rates, PRF indemnity calculations, and some Internet Explorer browser display issues that have developed since the release of High Plains Ranch version 2.0.</p>
<p>RMA recently announced further updates to PRF insurance for the 2011 crop year. Those updates will be incorporated into High Plains Ranch version 3.1 scheduled for release in August 2010.</p>
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