You opened this newsletter, but there’s a good chance you don’t have the energy to read it… There’s a good chance you’re exhausted, physically and mentally. And a stronger chance you may be a little cynical about farming these days…
There’s good reason to be feeling this way. And if you’re experiencing a few of farming’s multifaceted side-symptoms: anxiety, stress, sadness… You’re not alone!
The past few years, farmers across the prairies have been facing stresses beyond their control.
“Enough to make a guy feel downright depressed,” a farmer said to us when dropping off grain samples this past week. We often push positivity in tough times. You might have even come to expect it! “Oh, there goes Agfinity, telling me to be happy and thankful again.” … We know… It’s easier to smile and project happiness when you’re not the one having to harvest a downgraded, lower-yielding crop. And that is – whenever Mother Nature gives her good graces to do so…
I’ve come to realize – true empathy is not possible if you only focus on the positives. We certainly have much to be thankful for. Having a family on a farm might even be everything you ever wanted in life. So how come so many farmers are experiencing this unshakable feeling of hopelessness…?
“It’s farming,” a determined, Grande Prairie veteran grower told us yesterday.
Yes, a simple way to put it, but it does kind of sum up the wondrous struggle we know as farming. The highs and the lows. And that rollercoaster can stay awfully low after a long, scary stretch of thrills and spills…
So, what do you do when you can’t do anything? When the crop is calling to be harvested, but your fields are too wet and markets promise to be unforgiving even if you do make the effort? … You do the only thing you can do… You endure. And as patiently as possible. If a window opens, and you’re able to harvest, go and harvest. If all the windows and barn doors close, you can’t do anything else but endure a little longer. And most likely, in uncomfortable fashion.
We’re rooting for your success, and we’re rooting for your happiness. While one doesn’t necessarily dictate the other, we understand why you can’t help but feel like it does. It’s hard. Really hard. And it sucks! But your family is here for you. Your friends. Your community. Agfinity and the rest of the grain marketing industry.
We wish you and your loved ones a less bumpy road as the 2018 harvest eventually ends (and hopefully before the spring of 2019).
Take a big breath. And another. We’re ready to help make the best of a difficult grain harvesting / marketing situation whenever you’d like to call.
And please come by for a visit on one of our social media accounts. Click one of the links below!
Market Report – by Nelson Neumann
Barley:The market for barley has come down and the outlook is bearish. Many large operations in feedlot alley are full through to January and some as far as March. Corn is being shipped in large, easy-to-manage shipments into Lethbridge and as far north as Calgary. This has significantly lowered the north-south price spread in the province. Edmonton area feedlots are $10/MT lower than Lethbridge. There is no shortage of feed in Alberta.
Wheat: Feed wheat bids are strong at the moment, but as soon as combines start rolling again the price is expected to plummet. Lots of wheat still in the field with expectation that most will be downgraded, putting serious harvest pressure on the feed market. Some feeders have switched from barley to feed wheat anticipating this increase in supply. Durum bids have slumped again, and the market appears to be saturated. We are hearing #1 delivered bids dipping into the $5.80s.
Oats: Milling oat pricing has held steady with a mild uptick in pricing. If you have good quality oats in the bin, a quick movement opportunity may be possible as most of the 2018 oat crop is still in the field. Northern feed oat demand is healthy and remains a great option for higher moisture crop.
Canola:The canola price has been tied to the global oilseed trade. American Soybeans are making their way to China around tariffs via a quick detour to Argentina. This is supporting the Canola price and, despite a strengthening Canadian dollar, pricing may have reached the gutter and could spring into the black.
Peas: Both yellow and green pea bids are trending in the right direction. This signals that we may be through the seasonal harvest pressure lows. Despite the uptick the price is still not where many producers are willing to sell. India rejoining the pulse market will be the boost that is needed, but, at the moment, shouldn’t be counted upon.
Corn: The US corn belt had an excellent crop and harvest is well underway in all areas that were not affected by the tropical storm Gordon. Feedlot alley was quick to bring in this corn and is landing at $235-$240/MT for October delivery. It is also making its way up to the Calgary/Strathmore area providing a cheap low hassle option for feeders.
With harvest at a slow crawl, buyers are still on the hunt for grain that can move this or next week. Having the grain and an accessible yard is only part of the equation though. Finding trucks seems to be the biggest challenge this week. This opportunity will be gone in a flash as soon as there is a small string of favorable weather. Edmonton area buyers are still paying strong prices for barley, but are ready to pull back bids as soon as supply comes their way. Southern Alberta buyers weren’t fooling around this year… They now have strong coverage out to the end of December and some feeders out as far as March, the large majority of that is corn. This is a switch from other years because now the feedlots have a fixed feed price and they can pencil that into their cattle buying equation.
Sellers take note: Buyers and sellers are anticipating a high volume of feed barley and feed wheat this year. This will put pressure on prices but If your in the North/West areas of Alberta, or BC call 1-888-969-5552 Jared (ext 1) and if you’re in the East/South areas of Alberta, and into SK, please reach out to Nelson (ext 3) and let us keep you informed on the market and what we’re hearing.
We are value producers, harvesting the best grain trading opportunities for our customers. This includes trying to find you the best price for your grain today. The best price today is not the same as the best price last week or last year.
“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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