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Sets of Keys

3 min read

The Merchant's Secret

What are the keys to creating a successful practice as a grain merchandiser?

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Taking Control of Grain Merchandising Blog image

3 min read

Taking Control of Grain Merchandising

Market conditions may be out of a merchandiser's control, but steps can be made to tip the scales in their favor. I believe merchandising grain and...

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1 min read

Watch Those Emotions: When Markets Get Weird, Get Calm.

Unmet expectations are the springboard for all kinds of human problems. When things don't go as expected, the likelihood of becoming irrational or...

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1 min read

Focus Your Energy Where Your Margins Come From

The country elevator is in an enviable position to serve as a price neutral conduit for grain from producers to end users. In order for this to work,...

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scales

2 min read

Basis Trading Starts with Balance

A good basis trader will spend an entire career refining his/her basis trading knowledge and skills. However, every principle of basis trading is...

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questions in conversation bubbles

2 min read

5 Questions to Help You Manage Pre-Spreads

Why? Pre-spreading is about locking in spread structure that will support your merchandising plans. (e.g., if you plan to carry grain you need a...

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Narrowing of Control over Time

1 min read

The End of Decision-Making

We (human beings, that is) are strongly motivated by FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. Any decision we make before we are forced into deciding means...

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rules

1 min read

The Basis Trader's Rules

I ran across this in my favorites folder the other day.  I thought it a worthy reminder of how being successful in the grain elevator business is...

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Maze

2 min read

Thoughts on Navigating an Uncertain Environment

Last spring, things in the grain world were a mess. Huge swaths of the country were late planting or not planting at all. The general sense was that...

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Buying Grain Intelligently and Building Farmer Relationships

4 min read

Grain Origination: Buying Smart & Building Relationships

Part of my job at a country elevator was buying grain from farmers.  I want to be completely clear that the vast majority of my interactions were...

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