Basis Rolls, Fees, Huge spreads, and changes in selling patterns. We saw a lot of interesting developments with this crop, so we delve into how it all intertwined to create a zeitgeist stew of merchandising opportunities for the coming year.

Do you believe in conspiracy theories? Does Bigfoot have a cousin? Can Elevators charge double digit monthly DP fees? Grab your trench coat and listen to find out as the guys delve into the inner workings of elevator bids and fees, farmer marketing behaviors, and a little known mythical figure of the West Arkansas Ozarks.

An extended version of our normal podcast to help keep you company during the long hours of harvest. We mix in grain talk with a lot of our own personal preferences, stories, and strange perspectives from the universe. Timestamps of topics below.

0:00:35 - What is this episode?

0:04:30 - Convenience Store Food Options

0:21:43 - Gas Station Bathrooms

0:24:40 - Farm Marketing Discussion on Choices vs Decisions

0:37:25 - PowerPoint Presetations

0:43:43 - Brokers

0:57:57 - Bankers/Interest costs in the Grain Biz/ Spread Structures

1:05:02 - Cashless Society Conspiracy Talk

1:09:58 - Floor Traders/ Algos/ GMD (Farmer) Conspiracy Theories

1:16:48 - Flat Earthers

1:21:44 - Ufology/ Aliens

1:33:00 - Restaurant Food

1:55:01 - Food Stories of Mr. White

2:02:50 - Travel Hacks and Hotel Thoughts

The guys discuss their ideas on the upcoming crop merchandising year and touch on the secret to unmitigated success (probably) for the basis trader.

What do spreads and summer have in common? They both start with “S”, duh. In this episode the guys get back to the business of grain merchandising and delve into what the ongoing shift in corn spreads spells for the basis trader. (hint: it rhymes with “hairy”)

What makes Cooperatives great? What makes them struggle? We chat with retired Co-Op Veteran, Scott Hardy, to discuss all he has seen over the years with Boards, GMs, Mergers, Patronage, and more. Some high quality insight for anyone that interacts with a Co-Op with some entertaining and informative stories mixed in.

Lovingly and famously known as "The July 1st Story," friend of the show and grain industry mentor to many, Scott Hardy, shares his harrowing tale from his days on the road visiting grain elevators. Over his 40 years of creating, observing, and retelling the stories, this one may top them all. From transportation challenges to food reactions to medical emergencies to Jamaican Ukeleles, this one has it all. 

Having exhausted this month's supply of market quips, the guys discuss the sayings of the grain biz that may or may not have any bearing on reality.

Roger recently listened to an insightful podcast which of course is a foreign concept to us, so Roger shared some of the big concepts from it and the guys discuss how these insights apply to our business. As a credit to Arkansas Public Schools, Jason learns what aphorism means and Roger learns what Zimbabwe is.

The guys are back from hiatus with a lively discussion on how merchandisers are coping with the current basis and spread environment and how that is affecting their plans for the next season. What should we be doing now? How should we be approaching the coming crop year? 

We also announce our first ever shipment of Elevator's Cut T-shirts (sized M, L, XL) and what you can do to get one for yourself.