CAS' Brett Crosby recently visited Minnesota to deliver risk management information and tools to Christmas tree growers attending the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association's Winter Convention, held in Carlton, MN, on March 5-6, 2010.

Mr. Crosby began his presentation by first introducing general risk and risk management principles, followed by a discussion of Christmas tree-specific risk considerations and risk management practices. He next provided attendees with an introduction to the Christmas Tree Risk Analysis Tool (CTRAT).

The CTRAT is a Microsoft Excel based decision support tool that models a Christmas tree operation and provides producers with key operating summaries as well as “what-if” type decision support capabilities. Attending producers were also told about the ChristmasTreeRiskManagement.com website that provided risk management information and tools to America's Christmas tree producers.