On newsletter day, I normally write my article early in the morning. At this time of day, words and metaphors shoot from my fingertips like bullets hitting a flock of geese on a canola field, and auto-correct is so intimidated by my surety, it doesn’t dare suggest something might be out of place, even when I spell something wrong intentionallally! … See what I did there?
Yes, my mind is freshest in the mornings. At least it had been – up until the never-ending harvest from Heisler fell upon us… Oh, no… I did it again. Another play-on-word. No offense to the fine people of Heisler, Alberta… You see, as I write this, our office is filled with intoxicating fumes of WD-40, so please excuse my poetic exuberance today.
We love when the phone rings at Agfinity! In fact, if you can believe it, we struggle to trade grain when they stop ringing. For years, we have been asking you to call in your time of need, and you have taken up the challenge!
This harvest, the phone has been ringing like it’s never rang before. And we feel sincerely privileged and thankful!
… But what happens when everyone is calling at once to ship feed grain into an already “saturated” market…?
Yes, sadly but so, markets go down. And no matter how hard we try to hold on, our buyers are simply too smart… Too business-savvy… And all-too-educated on the principles of supply and demand. We like doing business with them for this very reason, because they understand how things work… But in times like these, understanding does not equal overpaying.
Okay, so prices are down, but Jared…
My grain is on the ground!
Therefore, today is the day!
I must move this grain today!
Or… perhaps yesterday?
What do you say? Can you find a way!?
We cannot find trucks for yesterday…
And today is difficult too.
But tomorrow…?
Tomorrow, or the next week or three or two…?
We know, we know!
It’s true, it’s true.
This harvest… She’s been a zoo!
But with your grain on the ground.
Please believe! We will never dare monkey around!
And when you call,
whether your farm is BIG or small,
Try we shall!
…Wait, that last part didn’t rhyme…
You may not like the price
You may not like the advice.
But we’re going to beat this beastly harvest
Slice by slice by slice!
The sound of an unanswered phone is one of the worst sounds in the world… But a close second was Clayton’s desk chair, which was squeaking hysterically and uncontrollably just a few minutes ago. Thanks to a bit of WD-40, we took care of that problem! And I even received some inspiration for this newsletter! … I wonder if Dr Seuss sprayed WD-40 when he wrote…
Keep the calls coming! And please, oh please, leave a voicemail if you don’t reach one of the hard-working humans in our office. We will call you back as soon as we can!
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 recent streak of warm dry weather was greatly needed for harvest to progress. However, the feed barley market reactions to the news that it would all get harvested was for pricing to plummet. Currently seeing Lethbridge area landed bids at $235-$237. If you are stuck with tough barley there are options that can take it at high levels (and low prices). With lots out there quick movement and a premium price are hard to come by at higher moisture. In the malt barley arena, there is potential for the standards to slip as supplies could run low in 2019.
Wheat: Feed wheat bids have continued to slide over the past few weeks and it appears as though we have not reached the 2018 harvest pressure floor as of yet. A comment made to me by a buyer was that feed wheat buyers “smell blood in the water” and are flooded with offers. Gradable durum bids continue to struggle. In southern Alberta, we’re seeing delivered bids of $5.50-$5.90. Reason for this is simple supply and demand with there being an absence of export opportunity.
Oats: While the poor harvest conditions have plummeted the feed grain pricing they are proving a boon to the milling oats market. Most oats that were in the field a week ago are likely to be downgraded from a #2 to feed quality.
Canola:The canola market has been slipping recently. This is lead by harvest pressure for October and first half November. A strengthening Canadian dollar is bearish for the Canola market as well as international factors. The Soy Complex as well as volatility in Asian markets are also both factors in this bearish outlook. Canola is currently at a one month low.
Peas: The edible pea market, both green and yellow, continues to strengthen. In some areas, yellow peas are reaching $7.00 delivered and around $6.75 throughout central Alberta. Specialty green peas are also seeing attractive pricing at $9/bu.
“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
Have a testimonial we can share?
Just email us and say something nice about what we do. 🙂
