Reading Time: 3 minutes Diversification may be the best strategy for maximizing price when selling grain, says a University of Illinois ag economist who has compared the results that actual farmers get from their marketing programs. “Many producers are substantially under-diversified in terms of pricing approaches,” Scott Irwin says. “They have an over reliance on self-directed, active pricing.” Irwin […] Read more
A new marketing strategy
How good is the marketing advice you’re paying for?
Reading Time: 3 minutes These may be the two most common axioms in grain marketing. “Farmers sell two-thirds of their crops in the bottom third of the market,” says the first. Then, adds the second, “Professional marketers routinely hit the top third.” But do those truisms — what we might call the professional edge — stand up to scrutiny? […] Read more
Ag economists have dropped the ball. Perhaps we as farmers have too, but clearly this has got to end
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farm managers can instantly tell you — to the penny — their cost of production. But just try asking us how much it costs to market our production and you’re likely to be met with a blank stare. Then, if you want to stump a farm adviser or marketing specialist, simply ask them how much […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
