Shay talks with Ken Stewart on Peer Groups as a business leader, and specifically faith-based peer groups.

They discuss the function, overview, and key aspects and benefits a peer group provides participants.

If you have any questions, please contact Shay at (319)-464-5708 or if you’re interested in joining a Convene group call Ken at 309-256-5068

Joe Paulson and Jeremy Doetch have a conversation around what good communication with your lender should look like and what types of things need to be communicated from both sides of the table.

Jeff Fichtelman joins Chris in this week's Market Outlook.  

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Troy Deutmeyer area Agronomist with Pioneer visits with Chris in this spring agronomy update.

They start the conversation discussing the keys to effective tillage. One of the keys areas Troy talks about is the importance of running the tillage tool in the same direction as the planter. He goes on to talk about several other factors around planting into strip till.

They go onto discuss the importance of planter settings. Managing the row, cleaners, seeding depth, spacing, variable rate, seeding, and soil conditions.

They continue discussing crop protection and managing your sprayer passes.

They wrap up the conversation discussing importance of managing your ROI as you make decisions on certain products for your crop.

Duane Lowry is visiting Chris in this week's Market Outlook.

Chris quizzes Duane on some of the key fundamentals to watch, as we head into spring planting season.

Duane acknowledges the burdensome supply of grain, which is one of the key factors pressuring the market. However, he explains several opportunities that could give us a short window of pricing opportunity.

The upside price opportunities are likely limited. However, Duane sees the importance of having targets in play and being willing to get some level of new crop priced during these opportunities, especially during the planting season.

They go on to discuss energy prices, summer weather, possible acreage shifts, geopolitical possibilities, and Fund positioning as we continue through the year.

Shay and Chris introduce Andy Hruby and Joe Paulson.

Andy and Joe now take on the role as the newest team members with Ag View Solutions.

Both Andy and Joe introduce themselves. They both explain their farming operations and how they got started working with Ag View Solutions.

Andy and Joe will play an intricate role with the team. They will be working with individual farm operations on collaboration, transition, succession planning, profit manager, and peer group facilitation.

Finally, in the discussion, Shay announces that he will away on a military deployment. Shay is part of the Illinois National Guard and will be away for an indefinite period of time. However, once Shay is back, he will pick up his role where he left off.

In the meantime:

Chris, Andy, and Joe will back Shay up while he is away.

We are so thankful for Shay and his military service, and all who bravely and selflessly serve our country!

Please reach out if any of you have questions.

Joe visits with Chris in this week’s weekly market Outlook.

Joe breaks down the numbers from the crop production and supply & demand reports.

Chris quizzes Joe on what the potential acre mix could mean to the markets moving forward in the next couple of months.

Demand continues to be extremely dismal with no changes expected.

Weather is still a potential threat within key production areas being very dry; however, markets are unlikely to move without BIG production issues.

If production issues do arise, they will likely be short-lived, in terms of pricing opportunities. Joe points out that producers will need to be aggressive to take advantage of profit margins, if and when they come.

Chris and Joe wrap up the conversation, talking about outside markets, including interest rates, energy prices, and currencies.

Jarod Creed With, JC Marketing visits with Chris in this week’s market Outlook.

They start the conversation talking about how the cost of production in 2024 has not reduced much from the costs in 2023.

Producers are struggling with the fact that crop budgets are in the red and it will take increased yields to bring the cost of production down this year to get in line with current market prices.

Their conversation continues at length discussing numerous options to consider in order to capture some success out amongst all the challenges that we face as we head into spring planting.

Setting a margin target, being disciplined, and taking on a modest opportunity may be a huge win for 2024.

Nobody knows where price levels could go on spring rally; however, the risk on the other side of the equation is significant!