Insights and Stories of Brian Wittal

May. 8, 2015 at 9:41 am CDT

Since my last two articles on wheat basis calculations I have had some interesting conversations with producers and industry people alike. One call in particular from a gentleman who works in the grain industry in Eastern Canada was very enlightening. Apparently my article was forwarded to him by one of […]

By Brian Wittal

Jun. 6, 2014 at 11:20 am CDT

Six months ago, panic made many farmers jump and sell low-priced grain at historically wide basis levels First, let’s review what was happening six months ago. Cold snowy weather backlogged logistics, but problems started months before that, in late summer and early fall. World buyers were buying little grain from […]

By Brian Wittal

Jan. 29, 2010 at 6:45 pm CST

Jan. 29 — Outside markets were neutral to down today on limited trading activity and the fact that the weekend is upon us. Most of the trade in grains was due to funds continuing to roll out of January contracts into March or May contracts. Other speculative traders were taking […]

By Brian Wittal

Jan. 28, 2010 at 5:34 pm CST

Jan. 28 — The U.S. dollar pushed a little higher again today, and outside markets were neutral to down slightly. Export sales and shipment numbers were above the weekly targets for all three grains, which helped to support grain futures today.  Short-covering was the main reason for the positive support […]

By Brian Wittal

Jan. 27, 2010 at 4:44 pm CST

Jan. 27 –– The U.S. dollar pushed higher today and crude oil was lower, which in turn led to sharp losses in bean futures today. There’s some concern about U.S. President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address this evening, in which he may announce restrictions on how aggressively banks […]

By Brian Wittal