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Sluggish ag economy leading some farmers to specialty grains

An agricultural economist at the University of Illinois says the slumping ag economy has farmers showing an increased interest in planting crops for premium markets.

In a recent FarmDoc webinar, Nick Paulson says he’s fielding a lot of questions about white corn, non-GMOs, and organics.

“Opportunities where you can maybe capture some value added above the traditional conventional commodity space, and ways to bring in some differentiation without entirely changing the practices that your farm business is doing,” he says.

With some organic crops bringing premiums double the price of their conventional counterparts, he says the interest is warranted.

“Most recently, just over $2 a bushel on white corn, $7 to nearly $9 a bushel on some of the organic markets.”  He says, “Conventional soybeans to organics, we’re looking at almost doubling in price between conventional and organic.”

And while specialty grains may not yield as much as conventional crops, Paulson says…

“Those do pencil out to higher gross, even with the yield drag.”

Paulson says farmers can work with their seed salesman, merchandiser, or local extension office to learn more about premium market opportunities.