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The Daily Grain
An opinion blog |
Same Old Problems 11/07/19 10:19:03 AM
Lately, I have been struggling with what I wanted to write about. Do I talk about how this harvest is going, or what I think farmers should be doing with their crops? Do I explain different marketing alternatives and do a pros/cons list of each one? No matter what I thought of, it all seemed redundant. However, as I was lying in bed last night, I came across this quote from an anonymous source, “Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions.” It hit me then how true this is. How many of us are willing to complain and grumble, but keep on dealing with the same old problems, rather than go out and try new ideas? How many of us talk about having not enough grain sold beforehand and not knowing what to with the rest after it’s harvested? Year after year, we face these same old problems.
Trying new things can be scary and hard. It can be stressful and worrisome and all together downright uncomfortable. However, what’s interesting, is that it takes going outside your comfort zone to make the end result that much more rewarding. Let’s think about this in terms of marketing. Are you happy with how you are marketing your crops, or are you just doing what you have always done? And hey, maybe that works for you. I’m not here to judge or tell you that you need to do some crazy, wild marketing plan. Like I have said before, you need to be comfortable with whatever way you decide to market your crops. You need to understand exactly what you’re doing and why.
I am here though, to challenge you. To encourage you that sometimes it’s ok to be a little uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s ok to change up your plan and try to find something that works better for you. Change isn’t always a bad thing. Maybe for you, that means instead of forward contracting your normal 10% of your crop, you do 25%. Or, if you normally contract 25%, maybe its doing 40% or even 50%.
So, while this blog might be shorter and not like the ones before, it still has the same important message. Don’t be afraid to call us to help put together a plan that works for you. Don’t be nervous to try something new or ask questions about what options are available to you. Be in charge of your marketing plan, not the other way around.
And, as always, “Start thinking about getting some target/open orders in. It’s NEVER too early!”
P.S. Check out the average harvest prices (October-November) at our Britton/Dundee locations from 2015-2018.
CORN
| 2015 | $3.69 | | 2016 | $3.16 | | 2017 | $3.17 | | 2018 | $3.26 |
**Today’s (NOV 7) Corn Price is $3.97
**Today’s O-N ‘20 Corn Price is $3.69
BEANS
| 2015 | $8.44 | | 2016 | $9.32 | | 2017 | $9.21 | | 2018 | $7.98 |
**Today's (NOV 7) Bean Price is $8.95
**Today’s O-N ‘20 Bean Price is $9.13
Maybe today’s prices aren’t too bad….
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