“Just finish a work-out, Jared…?” A farmer visiting the Agfinity office asked, sweat still dripping down my undeniably red face. “You’ve got time to work out…?”
The producer, who had taken the long way around to get to our partially fenced-in office, was one for two! I had indeed completed a work-out that morning, but did I have time for it…? Certainly not!
The older I get, the more I realize I don’t have time… I don’t have time for holidays. I don’t have time for dates with my wife or time to spend with my kids and friends. I especially don’t have time to stress my muscles, make myself breakfast, or mow the front lawn when I get home from work.
But these are the things in my life I make time for. And from highest to lowest priority of course. (Yes, you’re at the top, Michelle.)
There is, however, a cost to prioritizing. When I make time for holidays, Agfinity trades less grain. That’s not me blowing smoke, it’s simply our reality. When I make time to play with my kids, I’m not sitting on the couch, recharging my body with an Alberta brewed beer. And if I don’t give them my full attention – they’re not stupid – we’re not actually spending time together… That matters to me.
And when I make time to go to the gym, I sometimes miss important calls, customer visits and grain trading opportunities. That matters to me too.
Michelle enjoying the construction noise outside Agfinity.
These are the necessary detours, checks and balances to living a rounded, full life. As I write this, sounds of machinery can be heard outside our office. We’ve been hearing them for weeks. As if that isn’t annoying in and of itself, to get to work, I’ve been driving through a back alley, and as construction has progressed, I now drive through two! I suppose I could take a different detour, but, inherently, I’m a creature of habit…
Michelle and I were recently blessed with a week-long detour when our kids attended their second stint of Grandpa & Grandma camp. On two of the precious nights, we chose to ride our bikes to different restaurants with outdoor patios. This activity killed a few birds with one stone: date nights, check; exercise, check; designated driver, didn’t need one, check!! On the second night, we discovered my back tire was flat. This is the sort of thing I usually ignore, but my legs were already tired from biking the day before, so I figured it would be wise to fill it up.
I bring up the flat-tire, not because it’s a great story, but because it’s the right picture for this newsletter. You know that feeling when you’re pumping up a tire, ball, or air mattress…? Observing the inflating object cautiously, giving it a gentle squeeze here and there, wincing at the idea of it exploding in your face? … That’s how our lives are when we’re trying to live them to their fullest. And when fully inflated, they work great! But if you’ve woken up on a flat air mattress or tried to dribble a flat basketball, you know how frustrating it can be when there just isn’t enough air! … On the flip side, it can be even more dangerous when there’s too much.
Speaking of such, the current feed market is blowing up! Eventually, there’s a good chance it may even explode. In the meantime, o ffers are triggering quickly and ferociously, and you should consider getting in on the action while you can… The tires are full. All you must do is make the time!
If you have old crop to sell or want to take advantage of the insane new crop feed barley and feed wheat prices, give us a call or send us an email! Offers are by far the best way to navigate this delightful pre-harvest detour. Offers on Agfinity.com that is! … A gentle squeeze here and there, we know, we know! … Don’t you worry. Your grain is in great hands!!
And please come by for a visit on one of our social media accounts. Click one of the links below!
Nelson’s beautiful, blue car outside
Agfinity’s new world of construction and detours.
Market Report – by Nelson Neumann
Barley: Feed barley is seeing quite the rally! Buyers were operating under the belief they were covered until the new crop year; however, a combination of dry conditions and poor pastures has lead to a shortage. This created a sudden scramble to buy rocketing bids upwards by $0.40-0.60/bushel. This rally is also carrying over to new crop pricing, in part to dry conditions in southern Alberta, and to a stronger export market.
Wheat: Wheat futures rallied strongly as poor weather is leading to declining stock. In fact, a recent report estimated worldwide production of wheat would be at a 5 year low. Germany and Australia are being hit the hardest with dry conditions.
Oats: Oat pricing has remained steady. Most of the Alberta Oat growing region has a crop rating of good to excellent and there has been some projections at 95 bu/acre.
Canola:Canola prices have been rallying as well, although, not as strongly as wheat. Production in Europe is expected to be down slightly over 1 million MT. This rally is occurring despite the fact that the Loonie has also strengthened and is now around 78 cents per USD.
Peas: Yellow Pea pricing has remained stagnant to trending slightly down. The market is currently oversupplied and international price protection policies are certainly not helping. Across most of Alberta, we’re seeing $6.25/bushel delivered for Yellows and $8.25/bushel for Greens.
“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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