Making Space for Harvest Supply

As harvest approaches, so does the annual influx of grain into the market. With the possibility of bins filling quickly and logistics tightening, now might be the time to plan ahead and help ensure you have the space—and the strategy—to may need to manage your crop effectively and fit your expected crop production.

“One thing I often suggest is: if a sale is above your breakeven point, it may still support your profitability goals. Sticking to your strategy generally helps minimize emotional decision-making. Trying to ‘make up’ for what you perceive as a bad sale often leads to abandoning your marketing strategy and can ultimately set you further back.”²

-Jessica Friel, ADM Account Manager

Start with What You Know

You already have key pieces of information at your fingertips:

• Your available on-farm storage capacity
• Cash flow needs leading up to harvest
• Trucking and transportation logistics
• Outstanding contracts that still need to be fulfilled

Use this knowledge as a foundation to build your harvest plan. Consider breaking down your expected bushels by these categories to help guide planning and adjust as conditions evolve.

Identify “Must-Move” Bushels

For any grain that can’t be priced or stored during harvest, determine how many bushels must be moved and identify a nearby delivery location that best meets your needs, such as your local ADM facility. Taking this step could help you avoid potential bottlenecks at the field and support smooth harvest operations.

Once you’ve identified your “must-move” bushels, position them with your financial needs. This could help you evaluate which marketing contracts¹ might align best with your goals.

Diversify Your Contracting Strategy

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to grain marketing—especially in a volatile market. A variety of contract¹ options are available for harvest delivery, each with its own benefits and risks. Since no one can predict the future, consider diversifying your contracts¹ to help manage risk.

You could also include targeted prices that leverage tools such as ADM’s flexible offer system to strategically respond to shifting market conditions and pursue potential opportunities.

Work with Your ADM Representative

Your ADM representative is here to support you. The more they understand your operation—like your goals or market perspective—the better they can help shape a grain marketing plan that fits your needs and priorities.