1 min read
6 Characteristics that Successful Grain Businesses Have in Common
We’re fortunate to observe grain companies over long periods of time. While they differ in geography, structure, scale, crop mix, and...
Decision Making
1 min read
Poker or Chess?
The grain business deals with a lot of numbers – yields, bin capacities, prices, basis, spreads, moisture, supply, demand, and more. Along with the...
4 min read
Rockefeller's Roadmap for Profitable Grain Merchandising
Leveraging wisdom from tycoon John D. Rockefeller can translate to sustained success for grain elevators
1 min read
Steering Clear of Common Pitfalls for Grain Cooperative Boards
The vitality of Feed & Grain Cooperative Boards is intrinsically linked to their ability to avoid common blunders and implement effective solutions....
2 min read
5 Disciplines of Merchandising that Stand the Test of Time
Sherry Lorton: Mar 29, 2022
When you see what appear to be good, well-established, long-standing companies suddenly fall apart it makes you wonder. How do good businesses go...
1 min read
When Being Right is the Wrong Focus
Phil Luce: Jul 29, 2021
Volatility has a lot of side effects on the mentality of a basis trader. Maybe the most dangerous is an aversion to being wrong – and when price,...
3 min read
The Merchant's Secret
What are the keys to creating a successful practice as a grain merchandiser?
1 min read
The End of Decision-Making
Phil Luce: Jul 15, 2020
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...
2 min read
Thoughts on Navigating an Uncertain Environment
Phil Luce: May 19, 2020
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...
2 min read
Preparing for the Grain Merchandising Inevitable: Part 2
Sherry Lorton: Jan 27, 2015
Planning with a Purpose