When markets are bordering your break-even, it’s encouraging to hear from producers who are making it work. One straight-shooter on the speaking circuit is Matt Bennett. He grows corn and soybeans on a 3,000-acre farm in Illinois. For Bennett, it all comes down to staying focused and preparing for unforeseen opportunities. “We’re all under stress…
It’s mid-way through the growing season, with harvest around the corner. If you still have some bin bushels to clear out, you face marketing decisions on two crops—old and new. That’s a lot of risk to manage at one time. While you shouldn’t make pressured decisions, be aware that time may be running out for…
Running a farm operation requires year-round planning, preparation, and being two steps ahead. With the spring season nearly upon us, the rush is on to get corn, soybeans, wheat, and other crops planted.
As the US farm economy grapples with unprecedented challenges, producers find themselves at a crossroads, with dwindling options and growing uncertainty. Producers and economists alike are concerned about the outlook for the US farm economy. The recent downturn in commodity prices, coupled with stubbornly high input costs, has left many operators struggling to break even.…
In 2003, Michael Lewis authored Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. If you’ve seen the movie version, you know it’s based on the career of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, who bucked conventional scouting by drafting players with a quiet, statistical edge. Rather than competing for stars, Beane—in a disadvantaged revenue situation…
