“… And that, Gemma, is what your dad does every day he goes to work. Pretty cool, hey?”
“So,” Gemma replied, “you call a farmer and say, ‘This is Jared. I’m going to sell your grain,’ and then you call another farmer and say, ‘This is Jared. Can you buy some grain…?’ Dad, I could do that… Your job is soooooooo boring!”
Boring!? Did my almost-8-year-old daughter just say my job is boring…? Do I defend myself? Do I ground her!? … Or at least initiate a surprise tickle-attack?
… I could have told her about the time I heroically redirected a rejected load of peas and sold it for slightly more money. I could have reminded her of the time Joseph and I climbed a couple of silos in fitted suits and sang our hearts out. I could have even put her in her place and told her that Agfinity was born less than two months after she was, and by all accounts, has accomplished way more than she or most 8-year-olds have… (ha-ha)
But, instead of rebuilding my ego, we laughed. I gave her a big hug and thanked her for being candid. I imagine, in her mind, her dad had been conducting a symphony of mystically complicated business deals, driving tractors daily and maybe riding the occasional horse or bull. Whatever she believed, the simplified version did not live up!
I remember thinking the same of my dad. The man who could do anything! Today, while he is still very impressive, I know more to the story. And though he can’t do everything, he puts his heart and soul into whatever he’s working on! And you know what? There ain’t nobody who can install a sink like my dad… or shovel a hundred-foot driveway… Or finish painting my kids’ rooms when I develop sciatica partway through the project…
I love my dad. And it’s my hope that my children will also love me when I’m older and less impressive.
We can be the best grain marketers, the best farmers, the best milkers and muck cleaners, but if we fail to make a lasting impact in the eyes of the children in our lives, when the dust settles, are we anything at all…?
Whether your dad is here in person or in spirit, cherish the time you have, and equally so, the times you have had. We only get so many harvests, so many Saturdays, so many opportunities to have a catch with dad, Grandpa or your funny uncle who lives in Medicine Hat or Ponoka. And if they don’t care much for baseball, there’s always bridge, rummy or backgammon!
And please come by for a visit on one of our social media accounts. Simply click one of the links below!
Market Report – by Nelson Neumann
Barley: The feed barley market has tumbled as much as $11/MT – $0.24/bu for some areas since our last newsletter. Some much needed rain allowed many producers who were holding on to their crop to feel comfortable letting it go and many buyers are now covered for the summer. Both of these factors contributed to driving the price down and the outlook is bearish.
Wheat: The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released yesterday caused a slight bump in wheat pricing. Worldwide wheat supply for 2018/19 decreased by 1.2 million tons, largely due to adverse weather conditions in Russia, the world leader in wheat exports. Central Europe is also seeing dry conditions and production reduced by 1 million tons.
Oats: The milling oats market is steady as she goes. Prices are around $3.05-3.10/bu delivered, varying slightly depending on location. Bids for off spec feed oats were not too far off of #2 price. Seeing on average a $0.15-$0.20/bu discount. With feed barley coming off, we may see feed oats follow in its footsteps.
Canola:Canola markets were dragged down this morning by a slightly higher Canadian dollar and a lower-priced soybean market. Much of the prairies have received adequate rainfall which has contributed to a decline in price but should benefit yields.
Peas: The pea market, both green and yellow, has been calm and steady. In addition to import tariffs, India also has input subsidies and a government supported price floor effectively eradicating that market.
The Feed Buyer Brief – Sheri Mills for Joseph Billett
With seeding finished, most producers are clearing out old crop to get ready for harvest. I picture myself doing that big Spring Cleaning where you purge as much as possible with the hopes of clearing out and cleaning up to be ready for summer entertaining season, but in this case, harvest!
The offers are out there, but buyers have pulled back a lot this week.
Farmers received up to 25mm of rain in Alberta, 10-50 mm in Manitoba and up to 125 mm in Saskatchewan! That makes for a fantastic start to the growing season. That said, to ensure a good growing season, more rain and heat will be needed. Many pastures are stressed as a result of last year’s dryness and grasshopper invasion.
After getting the much-needed rain, barley prices have started to come off. On average barley pricing is down $6.43/mt or 15 cents/bu since this time last week and buyers believe prices will continue to slide. So, unless their needs are immediate, most buyers are taking the “wait-and-see-what-happens” approach right now.
feed wheat pricing has either held its course or had a slight increase depending on location.
Let us know your thoughts, and please check out the pricing below! Sheri Mills – Sales@Agfinity.com
“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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