This is an opportunity for Missouri producers concerned about the various risks they face each day to learn about and how to use some of the basic tools to manage those risks.

We saw a financial disaster in agriculture in the early 1980s as a result of inflated farmland values and the increased borrowing on those values. When the bottom dropped out of the farmland market, we saw loans called in and foreclosures to cover those loans.

That means making the effort to put records together, preparing financial statements and preparing a business plan, especially if the producer is looking at a new enterprise.

It is never too early or too late for a producer to consider putting together a good set of records and the accompanying financial statements, and maintaining those records from year to year.

The new players have convinced me of their ability to compete at the next level and this is their opportunity to show that on the international stage. This starts next week in Wellington and the guys are excited at the challenge of playing in front of their home crowd.

Our goal is to give our faculty an opportunity to keep up with trends in post-secondary education -- be aware of how we can better prepare our students for life after high school.