Diversify your marketing plan with contracts that fit your farm and your situation.
Farming is more than growing crops and selling them. It’s a thousand decisions along the way. The Cargill Elevate portfolio of contracts offers flexibility in controlling your marketing while diversifying your sales. There is a solution to match any market condition, and a solution for you.
Choosing your contracts.
We've produced a unique selection of contracts that allow you to diversify your marketing while doing business the way you want.
See which solutions best fit your farm.
Build your price
Simplify your marketing. Build a price and protect against market volatility.
Protect against volatility
Protect against market volatility with a minimum futures price.
Take advantage of market opportunity
Take advantage of market opportunities to seek premium prices for your crop.
Marketing for every season.
To get your target price for your commodities, make the most of every opportunity, and reach your profit goals, it’s important to keep an eye on your marketing plan throughout the year and adjust to changing market conditions.
Here are some things you can think about in each season.
Summer (June - August)
During the growing season, you have a lot on your plate — feeding and watering your crops, keeping an eye out for potential problems, getting ready for harvest. This is also the time of year when you can start forecasting your yield and emptying your bins to make way for new grain.
Tip: Based on historical data, prices tend to drop in August. If you haven’t already established a basis, now’s the time.
Questions to ask
- Are you prepared for the USDA June 28th Acreage and Grain Stocks reports?
- Do you need to sell any remaining grain from last year to make room in your bins for the current crop?
Contract opportunities
- Minimum Price
- Focal Point
Fall (September - October)
Your hard work and preparation paid off, and it’s time to harvest your grain. Harvest time means long days in the fields and extra attention to equipment to make sure everything is in good working condition.
Tip: This is the time of year when the supply of grain is at its highest. That typically means lower prices.
Questions to ask
- Do you need to deliver on any contracts during harvest?
- Do you need to sell any additional grain because of better-than-expected production?
Contract opportunities
- Pacer
- Minimum Price
Winter (November - March)
During winter, you can take time to analyze your harvest, figure out what went well and what could’ve gone better, and start making grain marketing plans for next season.
Tip: The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report is released the second week of January and the USDA planting intentions report is released on March 31. These reports can be major market movers. Consider protecting unsold bushels heading into these releases and capitalizing on market movement before and after the reports.
Questions to ask
- When do I need cash flow throughout the winter?
- What percentage of my grain do I want to forward contract before I start planting?
- How do spring crop insurance prices impact my grain marketing plan?
- Am I prepared for the USDA March 31st planting intentions report?
Contract opportunities
- Minimum Price
- Focal Point
- Firm Offer
- Pacer
Spring (April - May)
We know you’re busy preparing your fields, planting your crops, and setting yourself up for a successful growing season this time of year. There are also key market opportunities, so don’t forget to carve out some time to think about your grain marketing plan.
Tip: Risk premiums tend to be highest in the spring, so this can be a great time to start pricing your grain instead of waiting for harvest-time lows.
Questions to ask
- Do you expect prices to trend upwards in the near future based on planting expectations, carry-over stocks and weather?
- How can you capture potential spring rallies?
- What time periods will be the best to lock in a narrow basis?
- Do you need to look at additional contracts to capture seasonal highs?
Contract opportunities
- Floored Contracts
- Premium Offer
- Firm Offer
Are you a cotton grower? Market your crop with Cargill.
You work hard growing your cotton crop so it only makes sense to sell your cotton in a way that best suits you and your individual needs. With our Cargill Elevate portfolio of contracts as well as our Cotton Solutions Cooperative pool, you have options when it comes to marketing your cotton.
