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Managing the uncertainty in agriculture

Farmers at this week’s Commodity Classic have said the extreme volatility in the commodity markets is making it more difficult to make marketing decisions.

John Delmotte is a director for the Michigan Corn Growers Association.  “Everybody has at least some level of uncertainty about what the right moves are,” he says.  “Do we market grain going forward knowing we can lock in profits or are we going to pass up profit potential.”

AUDIO: John Delmotte, Michigan Corn Growers Association

Michigan Soybean Association president Heather Feuerstein says another concern is inputs.  “Farmers in our area are really talking about two things, being able to get the product,” she says.  “We are really struggling being able to get the product to the farm.  And the price of the product.  Being able to solve those two issues are high on our priority list right now.”

AUDIO: Heather Feuerstein, Michigan Soybean Association

Both Delmotte and Feuerstein say they’re being proactive and implementing risk management tools to navigate the uncertainties in agriculture.