The Elevator's Cut Podcast

From the Ivory Tower to the Drying Tower: Interview with Rob Cogdill

Family grain business operator, blogger, and friend Rob Cogdill of Cogdill Farm Supply in Dunlap, Iowa joins us to share his journey into the family business from the halls of academia, as well as some of the ways he’s been able to de-complicate grain merchandising. Find more info about Rob at  www.cogdillfarmsupply.com and www.bullsheet.blog or on twitter @BullSheet_Blog.

2020 Late Summer Noise Edition

The guys delve into all the zeitgeists that have folks riled up about visions of rallies to come this year. Join us as we discuss practical ways to digest the news without the need for all the antacid.

As always, thanks to our sponsor for this episode: Sample Buckets.

Harvest 2020 is coming. What’s your plan?

The guys discuss worst case scenarios for new crop this year and what commercial grain folks should be doing now to avoid trouble. As always, it’s not rocket surgery, but worth thinking through in a year where space could be more valuable than it’s ever been.

Grain Policies for 2020: Pitfalls and Solutions

Today, we delve into the policies and contracts that haven’t had a great year (namely rolling basis contracts) and how to improve them in the future. We also get into some of the popular contracts for new crop and which ones you should be tweaking, eliminating, improving, or promoting in the current environment.

All About The Benjamin

No bad tweets, but how about podcast interviews? Ohio grain originator and self proclaimed truck czar Benjamin Nething shares with us his thoughts on the grain biz. From the differences in working for a major vs. a family company, to keeping millennials engaged at the elevator, to the the bane of modern society that is social media, we cover it all.

 

Disclaimer: no bats were harmed in the recording of this episode...probably

The Hanse-cast

In this episode the guys social distance with Scott Hansen, long time WCC employee and fixture of the Iowa school board world. Scott shares with us his take on what is and is not new in the grain business, as well as sharing a few of his stories from the road. 

What Even Is Ag Tech?

The guys hop on the line with Luke Swenson and Joe Solinger from Bushel to get learnt on how ag tech is being driven in the commercial grain business, all while adhering to proper social distancing guidelines. To learn more about how Bushel is helping the grain industry, please visit them at bushelpowered.com 

PPP Primer and Business Loan Pro Tips

We are joined once again by our compatriot Jeff Reardon to get a better grasp on what the Payroll Protection Program means for the grain business. Jeff also points out that just like buying and selling grain, when dealing with your lender everything is negotiable until you sign on the dotted line.

The Farmer's Cut

What does milo, popcorn, and a good understanding of farm marketing look like?  Two words: Adam. Baldwin.  Adam Baldwin (@iamyourfarmer) sits down with the guys to discuss the challenges of farm marketing and how he navigates basis and spreads as a farmer. He also discusses the key relationship with the grain elevator in his business and how they can best serve him in this time, including a discussion on elevator apps/websites. We also hear about his popcorn business he has started:  Papabaldys.com

Farm Marketing Meetings

The guys delve into farm marketing meetings.  Locations, size, content, and message.  What makes a great one and what gets results?  We share some memorable stories and experiences.  The good, the bad, and the ugly...

1 Year Anniversary Episode

We sit down to discuss what our first year of the show has been like with our most requested guest ever: Randy. He gives us the stats and pulls back the curtain on how the sausage is made. We also discuss ideas for the future on how to bring you, the listener, more of what you want.

Spreads: The Revenge

As promised, in this episode the guys revisit the topic of spreads.  Get your pencil and paper ready!

Live @ White Commercial's Master Management Conference

Join the guys as they host this episode in front of a live "studio" audience, where they interview attendees of the annual Master Management Conference hosted by White Commercial Corporation ( WCC, our employer and one true sponsor ).  What makes the conference great?  Why do people come back year after year?  Does Randy think that WCC stands for "White Claw Convention"?  Find out on this week's episode!

Grain Cheats

What do frozen sump pump pipes, show pig tanning beds and accumulators have in common? More than you might realize. Join us as we delve into the details of some of the most remembered grain cheats of the 21st century. And you thought 2019's discount schedules were a rip off!

Conference SZN

Join the guys as they discuss their recent misadventures on the grain conference circuit.

Fall Basis 2019

The guys delve into the latest corn and soybean basis patterns for this unique crop year. It's a discussion on harvest basis values at different spots around the country, how they have differed from previous years, why basis has acted this way this year, and what actions grain merchandisers should be taking right now and in the months to come.

The Grain Mafia

The Godfather, Tony Soprano, government statistic survey workers, that guy behind a trading screen in Chicago; what do these people have in common? Absolutely nothing. That is unless you're a social media tin hatter who believes in the Grain Mafia. Join us as we shed some light on this dark corner of the grain world.

TRIGGER WARNING: if you routinely participate in FB GMD proceed with caution!

The Banker's Cut w/ Jeff Reardon (Part 2)

Listen in on Part 2 of our discussion with Jeff Reardon of White Commercial.  

The Banker's Cut w/ Jeff Reardon (Part 1)

Paying homage to the time honored saying "It takes money to make money", in this first episode of a two part series we delve into the mind of the elevator's lender. Jeff Reardon helps us prove that there's more to your banker than dollar signs in their eyes, and that despite the potential challenges, a successful season depends on a successful financing relationship.

Harvest Marketing Alternatives

Like sands through the hourglass, the days are drawing nigh for growers to take advantage of no-cost marketing alternatives for their 2019 fall crops. As an elevator, how do you both help farmers make wise decisions on cash flow & costs AND ensure your ability to generate suitable returns to your space? Delve with us to find out these answers and more!

Marketing Grain in the Trade War Era

On this episode, we sit down with Cullen Wilson of Dakota Plains Ag Center during the White Commercial Summer Conference. Cullen is lead originator and discusses his philosophy on origination and successful farm marketing as well as a new project he is working on as a resource for farmers in their marketing decisions.

https://grainmarketingstack.substack.com/subscribe

@cullenjwilson

www.dakotaplainsag.com

@DakotaPlainsAG

A Broker, a G.M. and a Merchandiser walk into a Co-op... (Part 2)

A continuation of the conversation we had previously with Brice Elnicki of Producers Cooperative Association of Girard Kansas. 

A Broker, a G.M. and a Merchandiser walk into a Co-op... (Part 1)

We sit down with our good friend and creator of the first ever iTunes review of TEC, Brice Elnicki of Producers Cooperative in Girard, KS. In this first of a two part interview, we listen as Brice shares his experiences at grain companies large and small, as well as learn the best practices for unloading railcars of cement. We may or may not have confused "biannual" with "biennial" during the course of the episode, so please, no hate mail.

Market Makers

Many of us in the grain business know that one of the functions of the futures market is price discovery. Lesser known, however, is that price discovery is also a function of the astute grain merchandiser. In this episode we shed some light on how the country elevator can make markets both upstream for the farmer and downstream for the end user, all while getting paid for doing so.

Bad Spreading: Hedging in the Wrong Crop Year

Hedging in the wrong crop year is neither a new idea nor a good idea.  In this episode, the guys delve into why this concept is the latest zeitgeist of the grain world, as well as what risks it carries for all parties. 

Spreads

Spreads are notoriously confusing, but no longer!  Jason and Roger hash it out and go deep in this discussion on spreads and the like.

Successful Farmer-Buyer Relationships

The guys sit down with Blake Early, founder and CEO of Agrihound to discuss the peculiar particularities of the interactions between farmer and buyer. If you'd like to learn more about Blake, his company or his grain contract education platform, we invite you to check out his website at agrihound.com.

CFTC, CME, HFT, WTH?

In this episode, we rebut the standard views of basis trading and convergence offered by academia. We also discuss the expansion of High-Frequency and Algorithmic Trading and what it means to us in the actual grain trading business. As usual, we refuse to take ourselves as seriously as anyone in the categories mentioned above.

Full Basis

Just when you thought you couldn't win anymore basis, along comes the idea of "Full Basis". Join us as we discuss the finer points of how merchandisers actually DO (and DON'T) capture grain margins in the world of reality.

The Ag Industry's Favorite 4 Letter Word

What is the Ag industry's favorite four letter word?  Here's a hint... it starts with an "F"...  And it's probably not what you think!

Funny Stories with Industry Veteran - Scott Hardy - Part 2

This is part 2 of our conversation with Scott Hardy, Grain Industry veteran.  Join us for more laughs and deep insights!

Funny Stories with Industry Veteran - Scott Hardy - Part 1

Our guest this week, Scott Hardy, an industry veteran.  Coincidentally, he's the man who brought Jason and Roger into the grain industry!  He shares some funny stories from his time in the industry, and brings us more than a few laughs!  

Marketing a Grain Elevator with special guest Damian Mason

Today's guest is Damian Mason, a businessman, agriculturist, and host of The Business of Agriculture Podcast.  He was a guest speaker at White Commercial's 2019 Master Management Conference for grain elevators.  He sits down with us to discuss marketing from the perspective of grain elevator business owner  This episode is fast and fun!

Subscribe to his podcast here:  The Business of Agriculture Podcast

Learn More about Damian Mason here: https://www.damianmason.com/

 

 

Who sets the basis?

In this episode we're joined by long-time White Commercial basis nerd Phil Luce.  Here we attempt to answer the BIG question:  Who sets the basis?  Listen in to find out!

Bad Grain Policies

The biggest tragedy in the grain business today. We delve into how the misuse of existing market signals costs everyone opportunity and forces folks to seek the grain marketing equivalent of Shan-gri-la.

28 Ways to Know You're Married to a Grain Merchandiser - Part 2

A fun and light hearted discussion about quirks of grain merchandisers and how those we love have to accommodate us. Submitted by a broad range of grain merchandisers. Part 2 of 2.

28 Ways to Know You're Married to a Grain Merchandiser - Part 1

A fun and light hearted discussion about quirks of grain merchandisers and how those we love have to accommodate us. Submitted by a broad range of grain merchandisers. Part 1 of 2.

5 Anchors of Successful Merchandising - Anchor 3

Successful grain traders have a few key things in common. This episode explores one of those: Creating Meaningful relationships with their farmers. We discuss how originators have successfully created a point of difference from their competition and turned that into an effective and profitable origination program.

Convergence - What it is, and what it ain't.

Possibly the most misused idea in the futures industry. We delve into both the concept and the reality of how the markets truly converge.

Market Noise

Separating the vital few from the trivial many. We take a closer look at what info out there actually impacts the day to day profitability of basis traders.

North Dakota Beans & the NY Times

What happens when you combine sensationalism, national elections and mountains of soybeans in the great north? Nothing short of an event that causes folks on the coasts to double down on their pity for fly over country. 

Market Disruptors

Disrupty McDisruptface, or, how things aren't always as they seem. In this episode we gently hash out the age old maxim "if it ain't broke, disrupt it...then it'll break".

The Basis Traders Rules

Created by some of the greatest basis traders to ever walk this planet, these simple rules cut straight to the core of what successful grain merchandisers should be about. We discuss what each one means to us with some real life stories.

5 Anchors of Successful Merchandising - Anchor 1

Successful grain traders have a few key things in common. This episode explores one of those: Identifying opportunity in your trade area and beyond. We discuss the subtle things that go along with this as well as share some real world examples of how merchandisers have done this successfully.

Welcome to The Elevator's Cut - An Introduction

An introductory episode of The Elevator's Cut where Roger and Jason capture the big topics and challenges of the grain industry with humor, pragmatism, and simplicity. With a few decades of combined experience in the basis trading, brokerage, and farm marketing spheres, they use their experiences and knowledge of their area of the grain business to shed some light on what they can, and debunk some myths and exaggerations that exist in the grain industry