Marketing During Droughts

The latest National Weather Service long-term forecast for Nebraska calls for a hot and dry summer, meaning the state’s drought is likely to continue. At the same time, planting problems elsewhere in the U.S., strong demand, and world turmoil have pushed crop prices higher this year. Given the uncertainties and volatility in today’s grain markets, should Nebraska crop producers be looking to market a portion of their crops prior to harvest? Do the typical seasonal price trends hold during a period of drought? Are there other factors farmers should consider when selling crops in drought years?

Nebraska Farm Bureau’s next Inside Profitability Series webinar will premier this Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. on our Facebook and YouTube channels and will focus on grain marketing this year given the influence of drought and unusual volatility in current markets. Featuring Kevin Gonnerman, a risk management consultant with StoneX in Omaha and former farmer from York County, the webinar will discuss marketing tools farmers can use to take advantage of seasonality in commodity markets. Kevin will also examine potential profitability this year for corn and soybean producers and discuss how farmers can lock in positive returns for a portion of this year’s crop.