Grain IQ

For twenty years, the math for U.S. grain storage was simple: for every extra bushel the American farmer grew, the industry built a bushel of space to hold it. But according to University of Illinois economist Joe Janzen, that "bushel-for-bushel" trend has officially snapped. In this episode of Grain IQ, Janzen noted that while U.S. grain production continues to climb in a "straight line," aggrega...

What happens when the world stops growing? In this episode of Grain IQ, Chad Moyer talks with Matt Clark and Don Close of Terrain about The Big Shrink, a new series examining how declining populations in major trade partners could reshape grain and livestock markets. From fertility rates in China and Japan to potential shifts in U.S. crop choices and livestock expansion, this episode gives farmers...

What does 2026 have in store for grain and livestock markets? On this episode of Grain IQ, host Chad Moyer sits down with Matt Wiegand of FuturesOne and Ross Baldwin of AgMarket. Net for a wide-ranging market outlook recorded live at the Nebraska Ag Expo. The conversation covers risk management fundamentals, grain and livestock market drivers, herd expansion signals, global trade impacts, processi...

The Pro Farmer Crop Tour is one of the most anticipated events of the year for farmers and the grain trade. Now in its 33rd year, the tour provides boots-on-the-ground insights into yield potential across the Corn Belt. In this episode of Grain IQ, host Chad Moyer sits down with Chip Flory, leader of the western leg of the tour, to dig into what scouts are seeing in Nebraska and beyond. Flory expl...

Harvest is here, and so are the tough grain marketing decisions. Prices are below break-even. Biofuel policy is uncertain. Global competition and interest rates add even more pressure. In this episode of Grain IQ, host Chad Moyer talks with Bree Baatz, grain and oilseed analyst at Terrain, about what farmers must know right now to make smart marketing calls. Bree shares insight on: - Corn vs. soyb...

Dive into a grain market outlook for 2025 with industry experts Darin Newsom of Barchart and Alan Brugler of Brugler Marketing and Management. Recorded live at the 2024 Nebraska Ag Expo, this Grain IQ episode captures key insights from their panel discussion, Grain Markets – Now and Into 2025. Hosted by Rural Radio Network’s Chad Moyer and supported by the Nebraska Soybean Board, this conversation...

Consistent randomness and investigative reporting are two themes that come from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour every August. The tour has become an industry event that analysts, agronomists, farmers and more closely watch for real-time insights on crop conditions in seven states: Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. But what's the significance of the data to the markets?...

On-farm grain storage has drastically changed how producers harvest and market their grain. What are the economic benefits of keeping grain in good condition? Are there considerable differences in storage practices? In part one of a two-part discussion, Dr. Ken Hellevang, a professor and extension engineer in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at North Dakota State Universit...

On-farm grain storage gives farmers another option at harvest, but it also adds a few more factors to consider in a risk management plan. For farmers considering expanding their on-farm storage capacity, what specifically should they be factoring into that decision? What technological advancements in grain storage are making an economic impact? What do farmers need to assess for their grain market...

Due to the growing demand for soybean oil, soybean crush capacity is rapidly expanding across Nebraska to increase soy oil output. Will this lead to increased soybean prices? How do you factor these elements into your risk management plan? In recent years, there has been a notable increase in demand for soybean oil for use in renewable fuels. Here's some quick math to consider: One bushel of soybe...

The U.S. Dollar. The Brazilian Deal. The Chinese Yuan. The U.S. Dollar is often referred to in commodity trading, but why? What impact does it have on major commodities? About 65% - 75% of all price settlements and merchandise trade invoices have been settled in U.S. dollars, according to Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics. Plus, farmers get caught up in day-to-day operations, but it’s ofte...

Every Friday after the markets close, the Commitment of Traders report is released by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). You’ve likely heard analysts talk about the report, but what does it really mean for your farm? Do the numbers matter if the data is three days delayed? John Payne with Advanced Trading has been in grain marketing for nearly 20 years. He joins us today on Grain IQ...

The funds are net short. The funds are net long. The funds are... huh? Who are “the funds” anyway, and how do they influence my grain marketing plan? John Payne with Advanced Trading has been in grain marketing for nearly 20 years and he joins us on Grain IQ to answer those questions. This is Part One of a two-part series. Be sure to catch Part Two where Payne breaks down the weekly Commitment of...

It seems like market analysts always bring up South American corn and soybean production. Does that really matter for your farming operation? Jeff Peterson, president of Heartland Farm Partners in Lincoln, breaks down South American agriculture - especially in Brazil and Argentina – and how it impacts family farms across the United States. Here’s what you can hear in this episode: - Size & scope o...

Welcome back to Grain IQ! In this episode, we sit down with Cory Walters, an associate professor in the Department of Ag Economics at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, to dive deep into the world of crop insurance and its role in grain marketing strategies. Cory brings his expertise to the table to give a comprehensive understanding of crop insurance fundamentals. From its ability to rearrange f...

Welcome to Season 4 of the grain marketing podcast, Grain IQ, hosted by Chad Moyer!

Farmers have been hesitant to sell to bushels, as corn and soybean prices witnessed a sharp decline from their earlier peaks. Consequently, elevators find themselves with lower levels of grain ownership, impacting their ability to take advantage of wider carries and basis levels. In some regions, basis has plummeted to multi-year lows. The most recent episode of the Grain IQ podcast featured a dis...

Long before the instantaneous internet, grain traders in Chicago made trades by hand. Literally. In fact, traders basically came up with their own version of sign language for this highly-active job. Mark Gold of Top Third Ag Marketing in Chicago described what his job looked like in the 1970s. In this episode of Grain IQ, we go back in history to learn what it was like to trade commodities before...

Once a city kid who went to school to be a doctor, Mark Gold with Top Third Ag Marketing in Chicago became a widely-respected grain trader and analyst who continues to serve producers. In this episode of Grain IQ, Gold shares his historical perspective in grain trading and how that impacts today's grain marketing.

Honey, I shrunk the futures contracts! Since the late 1990s, mini futures contracts have been traded, representing a fraction of standard-size contracts. Then came the introduction of micro futures contracts. On this episode of Grain IQ, we’ll explore mini and micro futures contracts, including what they are and how you can use them in your grain marketing plan! Fabio Mattos joins us for today’s e...

You turn up the radio when the broadcaster gives the latest market numbers, and you hear him rattle off multiple months for each commodity. Why? What do those trading months mean? On this episode of Grain IQ, why are there different trading months for corn and soybeans? How do the trading months impact your grain marketing plan? Fabio Mattos, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural E...

Prevent plant is consistently a topic of conversation in the northern U.S. Whether its spring wheat, canola, sugar beets or sunflowers, how do those unplanted acres impact the corn and soybean market? And what should producers consider with prevent plant acres in their marketing plans? Brian Splitt, co-founders of AgMarket. Net, breaks down northern crop production and how that plays a role in the...

Depending on where you’re from, marketing wheat is a key component to keeping your operation profitable. PLUS how does the wheat crop impact your corn and soybean marketing? Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics Stay joins us for exclusive bonus content with tips on marketing wheat. Grain IQ is a production of the Nebraska Rural Radio Association, in cooperation and with support from the Nebra...

Even if you don’t grow wheat, the wheat crop impacts corn and soybean prices Each May, the Wheat Quality Tour travels through fields in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado to get a snapshot of the year’s wheat crop. Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics breaks down how small grains influence your grain marketing plan. Grain IQ is a production of the Nebraska Rural Radio Association, in coo...

As spring fieldwork gets underway across the country, what grain marketing strategies should your operation consider this year? Darin Fessler of Lakefront Futures and Options and Doug Simon of Tredas break down the current market and what’s important for producers to consider. This episode was live streamed on Facebook and featured questions from live viewers. Grain IQ is a production of the Nebra...