Farmetrics.com Rewards Participants With Information and Incentive Prizes
ST. LOUIS, MO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 15, 2007 -- Farmetrics(SM), the first prediction market
tailored for U.S. agribusiness, enables participants to learn more about
local, state and national crop conditions. Using their knowledge and
experience in the agricultural industry, participants submit predictions
for local planted acreage, yield and harvested acreage at
www.farmetrics.com. These predictions are aggregated and shared weekly
with participants. Farmetrics provides access to information as local as
the county level.
Farmetrics participants can even earn Reward Points redeemable for prizes
at an online catalog. There is no cost to participate or win.
"Gaining real-time, more accurate information about local crop conditions
is vital to U.S. agribusiness," said Bill Towles, who manages farmer focus
programs for the Web site's sponsor, Bunge Global Markets, Inc. "The
Farmetrics Prediction Market helps everyone manage risk more closely. It
is already proving to be an important tool in understanding supply
conditions around the country."
Currently, participants are making predictions about acreage or harvests of
crops such as corn, wheat, cotton and soybeans in their counties of
residence. More crops will be considered in the near future, and other
planned enhancements may benefit agricultural colleges and farm
communities. An expanded discussion forum including new message boards is
also under development, enabling members of the agribusiness community to
voice their interests and concerns to their peers.
Prediction markets predict outcomes based on the aggregated input of large
samples of people knowledgeable in a given field. They have proven highly
accurate in elections, sports and business. Typically, they operate as
contests in which participants making accurate predictions win prizes. At
www.farmetrics.com, participants can earn Bonus Reward Points through
active participation and may qualify for incentive prizes without winning
at the county or state levels.
To enter, eligible participants must first register at www.farmetrics.com.
After registering, participant's eligibility will be confirmed by Bunge.
Participants must be above the age of majority in their state of residence
to participate and must meet other eligibility requirements. If eligible,
each week, the participant, using his or her knowledge of the agricultural
industry, may input his or her predictions about key statistics such as
local planted corn and soy acreage, yield, and harvested acreage. The
potential weekly contest winners are determined based on which
participants' predictions are most accurate according to published USDA
statistics or other authoritative sources when they become available.
Winners can earn Reward Points that can be used toward prizes ranging from
flashlights to travel packages for two.
About the Farmetrics Prediction Market
The Farmetrics(SM) Prediction Market is an innovative way to collect and
share crop information from participants around the country. Using their
knowledge of the agricultural industry, participants submit their
predictions such as local planted acreage, yield and harvest acreage weekly
at the dedicated Web site, www.farmetrics.com. This information is
aggregated and shared weekly with participants. Active participants also
may win prizes by accumulating Reward Points. Farmetrics is the first
prediction market tailored exclusively for U.S. agribusiness. There is no
cost to participate or win.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
Farmetrics(SM) Prediction Market Contests, Sub-Contests and Appreciation
Program are open to legal U.S. residents, who are above the age of majority
and primarily and significantly involved in the agricultural and farming
industry, as determined by Sponsor. Sponsor will offer Contests and
Sub-Contests on a weekly basis, commencing on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. CST
and ending on Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. CST. Farmetrics is open. Prize
information will be available on catalog site located at
www.MPGSTL.COM/BUNGE. Sponsor: Bunge Global Markets, Inc., 50 Main
Street, White Plains, New York 10606. The odds of winning depend on the
number of eligible entries received and the predictions entered. For
official rules and more details visit: www.farmetrics.com.
Contact Information: Media Contacts:
Steve Carr
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7211
scarr@dresnerco.com
Sarah Komuniecki
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7208
skomuniecki@dresnerco.com