Seasoned commodity trader Al Kluis shares some early thoughts on your 2016 marketing plan and how USDA report data can help you.

Even after more than 40 years in the business, I am still confused by the impact of crude oil prices on the stock and commodity markets. 


In the 1970s, I was just learning about the futures market when OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) got tough for the first time and raised the price of crude oil. 


In 1973, OPEC flexed its muscle and embargoed oil exports. Crude oil prices flew from $10 per barrel to $40 per barrel. This had an inflationary impact on the U.S. and global economies. 

Al Kluis is no crop insurance agent, but crop insurance is very crucial to his historically successful three step risk management plan for farmers.

Pay particular attention to weather and crop size when watching the market.

With beans at these prices, soybean farming in Brazil is profitable. Farmers will continue to increase soybean acreage by taking land out of pasture and hay, and planting more soybeans.

This is not the 1980s, and Al Kluis isn't expecting a repeat of that time.

It's been a tough year for marketing, so our resident crop markets expert is helping you make informed decisions. Take advantage of his five suggested strategies and try avoiding the three mistakes he mentions.

Al Kluis shares his knowledge on the economic slump in China and what that will mean for farm prices and profits in the U.S.

Base your selling decisions on your farm profitability and do not worry about what you are reading on the Internet. The same people who wrote about $8 soybeans in June are now writing about $21 soybeans; they are likely to be wrong again.

If you learn to consistently get some of your crops priced ahead using this type of plan, the odds are very high that you will be better off than hoping for a summer rally or being forced to sell at harvest.