| PROJECT SUMMARY |
During the April 2007 to November 2009 time period, monthly market surveys were carried out. These reports were summarized and circulated to participants and identified non-participants by e-mail. A summary document was prepared and circulated to participants identified non-participants by e-mail. This market summary consisted of graphical presentations of FOB farm and prices for selected varieties of bermudagrass and St. Augustine grass in four major market areas. Statistical analysis was conducted to check for differences between markets for varieties in the survey, and to check for any existing price trend that might be occurring.
On February 13, 2008 (El Campo), May 12, 2009 (Weslaco), May 19, 2009 (San Antonio) and August 10, 2009 (Dallas) Texas AgriLife Extension Service Agricultural Economics Project Group personnel in cooperation with the Turfgrass Producers of Texas Association, the Southern Risk Management Education Center and CSREES conducted the four scheduled workshops focusing on improving the risk management skills for turfgrass producers in Texas. These workshops concentrated on the development and use of enterprise budgets to manage risk in turfgrass production operations, and labor issues. The meeting in El Campo was attended by eleven producers, the meeting in Weslaco was attended by two producers and two County Extension Agents-Agriculture, the meeting in San Antonio was attended by six producers, and the meeting in Dallas was attended by two producers. These producers indicated that they farmed or managed 19,182 acres of sod, which comprises 52% of the acres in production in Texas according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture.
Evaluation results indicated that 100% of the workshop participants agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements: 1) I have a better understanding of the enterprise budgeting process, 2) I have a better understanding of how to use enterprise budgets in making management decisions, 3) I understand how non-cash costs can be incorporated into enterprise budgets, 4) I understand the difference between fixed and variable costs and how fixed and variable costs can impact production decisions, and 5) I feel comfortable using enterprise budget spreadsheets.
100% of the participants indicated that as a result of these workshops they will prepare enterprise budgets that are specific to their operation, include non-cash as well as direct costs in their enterprise budgets and will be able to use enterprise budgets for purposes other than acquiring financing from lending institutions. In addition, 100% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that the subject matter was timely, that the speaker was effective, and that these were very educational workshops. 95% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that the information presented was practical to their operation and that they will be able to apply the information that was learned in the workshops to their operation.
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| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 84 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Market analysis and outlook |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Business and strategic planning |
