We don’t always mean to, but we do a lot of bragging at Agfinity. Being coy, though an admirable virtue, can only get somebody so far… right? Thankfully, we know true success comes once the accomplishment has been properly boasted – and in the most public way possible!
“But Jared… surely you say this tongue in cheek!”
Is my tongue resting within my cheek…? Maybe. But think of this! What if by being humble, we are actually being selfish?
Allow me to explain. If a farmer gets a price for his grain that is so good –maybe even too good – it can be hard to fess up when a neighbour informs you of a lower price they just sold for. We are sensitive beings after all! We don’t want to hurt people’s feelings. True patriot love in all of us command…? Right?
Wrong!! This is where you must step up! With great prices comes great responsibility! You look your friend Jimmy square in the eyes and you break it to him gently. Gently and proudly. For example, this is how I would do it:
“Jimmy, we go back a long ways, so I’m not gonna make a big deal out of this. But I sold for $0.20/bushel more just this morning. Some sort of quick movement premium according to their text message. Now, if you’d excuse me, there comes the truck right now.”
Curt. Firm. Prideful, yet not completely arrogant. And delivered like a true patriot! Sure, in the moment, Jimmy’s feelings might be a little hurt. He might even be a little mad about the whole situation. But you know what? Jimmy is a better man for it. He’s informed, and if he has more grain to sell, he’s going to average up, and ultimately do better for himself in the long run.
Being transparent isn’t always easy, but it’s a core value here at Agfinity. We believe that a handshake still matters. As a company, we strive to be unbiased, genuine and transparent in everything we do! Everything!!! And sometimes it breaks our hearts as much as it does yours. But know this… If we didn’t care about you, we wouldn’t be willing to tell you the truth. And the truth is, markets go down, but they also go up!! And thank goodness for that.
Recently, feed grain markets have been on the rise. And being that we are value producers, harvesting the best grain trading opportunities for our customers, we feel it’s important to look you in the eyes and tell you this. Even if you’re sold out and it stings to hear it. Heck, we might even get a couple reply-emails today giving us the “what for?”. And that’s fair.
A formidable goal of ours is to offer the best pricing there is on any given day. We also know that if we traded every bushel for the highest price possible, we wouldn’t be grain brokers, we’d be billionaires on Wall Street. And between us, we’d much rather be grain brokers… Besides, we have all the time in the world to be billionaires when Agfinity goes public in 2037. (Yes, tongue-in-cheek.)
… Have you heard the saying “you’re only as good as your last at bat“? We think there’s merit to that thinking. And even if it’s not totally true, what’s wrong with swinging for the fences every time you step up to the plate? … Aside from not bragging every time you get on base or hit it out of the park. You got to do that.
If you’ve gotten a great price for your grain recently, just what exactly are you waiting for!? Go out and ruin somebody’s day already! You’ve earned it, and whether they know it or not, they’re going to be happy you did! 😀
Speaking of things to brag about… Make sure to check out our trades, core values, staff and how we can help you at www.Agfinity.com, and please come by for a visit on one of our social media accounts. Simply click one of the links below!
Market Report – by Tracy Green
Barley: After the latest rally to hit feed markets these past couple weeks, feedlots are now filling up quickly and feed barley premiums could be at risk of coming off. Quick movement is getting scarce with most buyers covered through March-April. Delivered Lethbridge bids for May-June still over $5/bu and up to $5.15/bu but may not last at this level. Some excellent new crop bids as well!
Wheat: Feed wheat prices have jumped up, especially for May movement with delivered Lethbridge bids around $6.50/bu +. Gradable wheat prices for low protein HRS and CPS are once again lower than feed wheat prices, bringing a fair bit of #1 and #2 wheat into the feed market. Call us and we’ll compare pricing for you to find the best opportunity.
Oats: Bids for 2CW and 3CW oats are slipping and movement is being pushed further into spring. The occasional opportunity into the feed market has come available with quick movement at similar levels to 2CW.
Canola:Canola traded lower yesterday dragged down by the Canadian dollar and increased selling. There may still be some upside to canola due to lack of moisture in Western Canada, so keep an eye on prices if you still have some to market.
Peas:Nothing much different for peas except we’ve seen the occasional premium into the feed market, beating the gradable price. Yellows: Still seeing dlvd prices ranging from $6.70 up to $7/bu dlvd. Greens: Delivered bids at $8.18/bu to $8.68/bu for 3% bleached or less.
Joseph: Horse’s mouth…?
Jared: Sorry Joseph! … Horse’s mouth meaning your prices are super reliable!! … You have a great mouth with a great beard!
The Feed Buyer Brief – Joseph Billett
Buyers are still watching prices ratchet up into spring, seeding and road ban season. Feed wheat bids into southern Alberta are around $245MT dlvd with offers in the $248-250MT dlvd range for late April and May – June shipment. Buyers seem to be open to paying these higher levels if there is larger tonnage behind it. Many buyers in feedlot alley, have switched to 50% and higher corn rations. This strategy takes barley out of the ration for some feedlots who are now planning on feeding wheat and corn. In talking to buyers, the biggest reason for this is their inability to buy enough barley. The buyer is unclear if there is a smaller supply of barley stocks remaining or if the seller is shutting the bins while prices shoot up. Either way, feedlots need feed and are being forced to buy corn, partly because of price, mostly because of access to volume. The northern feed market is still quite hungry for March – April barley, offers are being hit quite quickly and feeders are calling in looking for barley on a daily basis.
Northern feeders are still paying premiums for barley and wheat and space is starting to get limited for sellers needing movement before road bans. Premiums are still available May – June as well, but may taper off as spring approaches. Sellers, post your offers and targets! The bigger the tonnage, the higher the price.
Would love to hear your thoughts on current markets! @JosephBillett
March-May: *$6.00-6.10/ bushel, based dry / 0 tannin -limited demand at this level. Next best bids are $0.25-0.50/bu less.
– CANOLA @ the bin:
Spot pricing approaching $11 picked-up. Hitting that level by spring. Give Jared@Agfinity.com a call to discuss, or email with your legal land description to get a price!
“No matter who I talk to at Agfinity, you always take care of things. You guys are so great to work with!”
– James Taylor, Leslieville, AB
“Other buyers call me, and I always tell them that the best service I get is from Agfinity, and that you guys are who I market my grain through.”
– James Thompson, Millet, AB
“Most of our marketing decisions are based off of your newsletter! We really appreciate you sending it out!”
– Phillip & Glenda Collinge, Lloydminster, SK
“I really like the personal touch in the newsletter! Thanks for sending that out!” – Jim Majeski, Camrose, AB
“I really enjoy working with you guys and the transparent service you provide!”
– Kurt Boese, Neilburg, SK
“For the past seven years I’ve been dealing with the Agfinity group and what a fantastic group of people they are. From number 1 to feed grain and canola. All the buyers at Agfinity can Make it happen. Fast turn around times on every thing. Movement, payment, and the inbetween that all of us farmers don’t see or care about. Good job to the Agfinity crew and keep on buying our grain.” – Drann Hogg, Huxley, AB
“Thanks for continuing to send out a newsletter. I read right through it every time, and look forward to crop price updates.”
– Orest Hulowski, Perryvale, AB
“Enjoy reading your newsletter and price updates keep them coming, good job.”
– Peter L .Gross, Standard, AB
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