Grain marketing for dummies – with a grain of salt. Grain marketing is the process of taking the crop from point of production and moving it to the point of consumption. This process consists of both physical movement of grain and cash flow movement between the producer, wholesaler, and retailer.
Grain marketing has a learning curve, and it’s not a simple task. With many types of grain, and ways to market grains, it is simply too much information for one individual to take in. In respect to the subject matter, I will do my best to present this information; marketing strategies for livestock, feedlot marketing in the simplest way possible.
Why grain marketing for dummies
Grain Marketing for Dummies is a quick and easy read that will help you understand how to market crops, beef, and livestock. It contains information on how to market feedlots, how to sell your crop, how to build a feedlot, and how to advertise your business.
The book is written by an experienced rancher who has been in the business for over three decades. He has worked with several different companies throughout his career and has seen many different ways of doing things. This book was written using his experience and knowledge gained from working with these companies.
Grain Marketing for Dummies will give you an introduction to grain marketing, including all of the basic concepts needed to get started. You will learn about the different types of grain marketing companies available as well as what they offer their customers.
How to market grains
Grain marketing is a complex process that requires starting early, understanding the local market and considering both production and cash flow needs.
Marketing strategies for livestock:
Marketing strategies for livestock can be broken down into two categories: direct and indirect. Direct marketing involves selling your product directly to the end user, while indirect marketing involves selling it through a middleman.
Market research for feedlots:
Feedlots are very different from farms or even other businesses because of the unique nature of their product — livestock. This makes it necessary to conduct market research before you start your feedlot operation.
The marketing of grains, beef and livestock is a very important part of the farming operation.
The marketing plan should be developed early in the year, at least one year in advance. This will give you time to get started on your crop marketing, as well as develop strategies for all other aspects of your farming operation.
Marketing Strategies for Crops
The first step in developing a crop marketing strategy is to identify what type of market you want to sell into. There are two basic types of markets, cash or futures. Cash markets are where you sell your product directly to the end user or distributor. Futures markets allow farmers to lock in prices for future delivery at a predetermined time and date. For example, if wheat was selling at $5 per bushel today but it was predicted that prices would fall next month and then rise again after that date, then farmers who expected this price change could lock in their price by selling their wheat futures contracts now at $5 per bushel and then buy them back later when prices fell back down again. The buyer of these contracts would then deliver the product at that predetermined time and date when the contract expires (or “matures”) at $5 per bushel just like he promised when he bought the contract from the farmer who
Grain Marketing for Dummies: How To Market Crops, Beef and Livestock.
If you’re thinking about marketing your crops, beef or livestock, this book is for you. It’s a no-nonsense guide to the grain marketing process written in plain English by a farmer who has been there and done that.
In Grain Marketing for Dummies, you’ll learn how to:
Identify your farm’s unique strengths and weaknesses and create a grain marketing plan that fits your needs
Develop a pricing strategy that maximizes returns on all your grain sales — not just the ones you make at harvest time
Use market intelligence tools like the CME Group Market News Daily Futures Report and USDA Grain Reports to stay informed of market conditions and trends before they affect your bottom line
Make strategic marketing decisions based on real-world examples from farmers who have done it right — and wrong
Set up an efficient grain storage system that meets regulatory requirements while maximizing profits
How to Market Crops
Marketing your crop is the most important part of the farming business. There are many ways to market crops, including selling them at the local farmer’s market, through a CSA (community supported agriculture), or directly to consumers. When marketing your crop, it’s important to remember that you have several options and you need to choose what works best for you and your farm.
1. Sell at a local farmer’s market
2. Sell through a CSA (community-supported agriculture)
3. Sell directly to consumers (at the farm or through farmers’ markets)
4. Join and participate in co-ops that sell produce in bulk or by subscription (includes CSAs)
5. Sell wholesale at stores or restaurants**
Farmers markets
Farmers markets are the fastest growing segment of food sales in the U.S. Farmers can sell directly to consumers and earn more per pound by doing so. Most farmers market managers expect their vendors to bring their own tablecloth, tent or other display materials. Farmers can also sell directly to restaurants and grocery stores through restaurant distribution channels, farmers’ market cooperatives and wholesale farmers’ markets.
With the right marketing strategy, you can sell your crop at a higher value.
Marketing is the process of identifying customers and prospects, researching them, developing a relationship with them and then selling your product. It’s critical to understand the different marketing approaches that will be most effective for you and your business.
Marketing strategies vary based on the type of farm operation you have and the products you produce.
For example, if you’re a livestock producer, marketing strategies may include:
Direct sales through farmers markets or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs
Selling products directly to consumers at farmstands or on-farm stores (where permitted)
Selling wholesale at local grocery stores or restaurants (where permitted).