Schulist Reviews Organic Grain Market Conditions

By Mike Schulist
Organic grain markets are currently holding steady. Demand for organic corn and soybeans has increased with the growth of organic poultry production. Supplies remain tight, and demand continues to stay strong. What the growing season will bring remains to be seen, so be prepared for a potentially bumpy ride. It’s not over until it’s over.

Given current organic grain market conditions, we are seeing buyer demand for grains beyond corn and soybeans, which benefits producers with diverse organic grain operations. Barley, feed wheat, and white milo have all been active markets recently. I believe corn supplies will be tight going into the new crop year and am actively pursuing new crop corn, soybean, and small grains contracts.

Despite the weaker conventional grain market, I do not see many acres transitioning into organic. I received calls this past spring from conventional producers planting seed and wanted to explore non-GMO markets, with the most common reason being seed cost savings.

Conventional or organic, we as producers are always looking for a way to save a dollar without hurting yields. Our farms are our own science and economic projects, and no two farms are exactly alike. Our uniqueness makes us who we are, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Unfortunately, buyer performance continues to be the biggest cause of the bumps in the road. Your NForganics team—Theresa, Melany, and I—take pride in your organic grain transaction, and we want a smooth transaction from start to finish. We know who the good buyers are, and we know who the not-so-good ones are, so we treat them accordingly.

The organic grain market always has been and will continue to be challenging, it’s never a dull moment!

With the passing of Harold Walker, I would like to congratulate Theresa Seiler in her new role as Acting Grain Director.