Retail Business
CF Industries is warning customers that fertilizer shipments might be delayed or may not reach farmers after Union Pacific (UP) railroad mandated certain shippers to reduce the volume of private cars on its railroad.
“As we think about what technical developments will propel agriculture forward (broadacre row crop), what will NOT change can be an interesting framework, instead of the latest buzzword or trend,” writes Rhishi Pethe.
“In ag retail we need to get comfortable with the fact that digital tools and infrastructure are not only here to stay, but an essential differentiator for your business indefinitely,” writes Shane Thomas.
“It is getting better, but also there isn’t just one answer either in how to work with data,” writes Nathan Faleide.
“Agriculture labor is one of those funny challenges that sounds almost boring at first but once you dive in, you realize it’s one of the most fascinating parts of our industry,” writes Tyler McGee.
For those ag retailers who are resistant to embrace opportunities, there could be a pretty big crowd saying coulda, woulda, shoulda.
Trust within the group is No. 1. It has to be there in order to have sharing in business and personal successes, failures, struggles, and ideas.
From Jim Farrell: One common theme I have heard in conversations with others is the companies that survive the next five years will have become true trusted advisers to their farmer-customers.
Here are four things you can do to decrease your company’s working capital requirements
Annual business planning will help you navigate many questions and create accountability within your organization to lead to greater success for your company.
Larry Taylor said, “Sackett-Waconia’s success is its partnership with its customers. I look forward to continuing what has made us successful for so long as part of the PVS family.”
When a new customer comes to your company, you start with a debit to that customer to perform as promised. Every time products and services meet or exceed expectations, that is a credit.
Build innovation into your plans as a high priority, and your team will make innovation a priority.
The March CME/Purdue Ag Economy Barometer posted the weakest farmer sentiment reading since May 2020, as the survey found the biggest concern among producers continues to be “higher input costs.”
China came in with a major buy to start the week. USDA confirmed in its daily export sales report that Beijing purchased 1.084 million tonnes of U.S. corn marking the biggest buy since May of 2021.
Before Putin’s forces even breached the Ukraine border, fear and speculation drove commodity prices skyward. Concerns are warranted.
USDA says there are currently no plans to provide direct payments to farmers impacted by soaring fertilizer prices. The news comes as farm groups and lawmakers are asking assistance to help with rising fertilizer costs.
A growing number of lawmakers, farm groups and farmers are pleading for assistance from still surging fertilizer prices. One possibility for USDA would be to tap the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act.
USDA’s Prospective Plantings report came with some shocks as farmers revealed 2022 planting plans. Despite the higher than expected soybean acreage numbers, some analysts say the soybean balance sheet is still tight.
The Ukranian government announced removal of corn and sunflower oil export license requirements to allow for easier exports, while also hoping the sale of the commodities will provide money for spring planting.
From changes in corn and wheat acres to more producers looking to plant soybeans, FBN’s 2022 Planting Report could be an early indication of what USDA’s March Prospective Plantings report will show later this week.
Farm commodity prices, production costs and consumer food prices are higher than would have been expected a few months ago, according to the 2022 U.S. Baseline Outlook report by FAPRI.
For March 2021, the Rural Mainstreet Index sits at 65.4. That is up from February’s 61.5.
Kendra Meisgeier, a precision ag specialist with River Valley Cooperative, talks about the first two years of the co-op’s grower portal,
The formal inquiry by the Canadian Competition Bureau started in October 2019.
Randy Stubblefield, CEO, United Farm & Home Cooperative, comes on the podcast to talk about a recent merger and how that’s changed his business as well as the opportunities in working with the new generation.
For machine operators/applicators, the top two ways to increase annual salary were to have another year of experience and have a positive attitude. For sales agronomists, it’s meeting bonus goals and increasing duties
Solve problems by finding inspiration outside the norm
How do you go about being more intentional about creating an experience with your growers?
Volatility is here to stay in the grain markets — but so could higher prices.