STARKVILLE, Miss. (RFD NEWS) — A new calendar year offers producers a natural opportunity to reassess how grain and livestock are marketed, not just how they are produced. Will Maples, assistant professor and economist with Mississippi State University Extension, says effective marketing plans help farms manage risk year-round rather than relying on a single sales decision.
Maples stresses that a marketing plan is not designed to capture the top of the market every year. Prices are shaped by supply, demand, and unexpected shocks, including weather, trade disputes, and geopolitical events. Instead, a sound plan creates discipline, helping producers make consistent decisions aligned with business goals rather than reacting emotionally to price swings.
Those goals should drive the plan. Risk tolerance, cash-flow needs, and time horizon vary widely across operations, so marketing strategies should support the broader business plan. Cost of production is the foundation, as knowing break-even levels allows producers to set realistic price targets that protect margins.
Maples emphasizes proactive marketing. Spreading sales throughout the year, aligning targets with seasonal price strength, and documenting decisions can reduce pressure from forced sales and improve long-term outcomes.
Farm-Level Takeaway: A disciplined, break-even-based marketing plan helps protect margins and reduce risk, even when markets remain unpredictable.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
FFA Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel joins FFA Today to share her story and excitement to connect with FFA members nationwide.
December 19, 2025 01:37 PM
·
Weather-driven transportation disruptions can tighten logistics, affect basis levels, and delay grain movement during winter months.
December 19, 2025 12:55 PM
·
December 18, 2025 11:19 AM
Larger operations maintain cost advantages, while softer equipment sales suggest producers are pacing machinery upgrades amid tighter margins.
December 17, 2025 06:00 AM
·
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
December 16, 2025 01:37 PM
·
University of Nebraska–Lincoln ag educator Matt Kreifels discusses his recent FFA Alumni award and the future of ag education.
December 16, 2025 01:16 PM
·
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
December 16, 2025 12:20 PM
·
Corn and wheat exports remain supportive, but weaker soybean demand — especially from China — continues to pressure oilseed markets.
December 16, 2025 12:08 PM
·
China’s pullback is hitting core U.S. commodities hard, reshaping export expectations for soybeans, cotton, grains, and livestock.
December 16, 2025 07:00 AM
·
