The Ag View Pitch

#779 - Will Your Farm Survive 8 Generations?

In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, Shay Foulk sits down with Quint Pottinger of Affinity Farms in central Kentucky to talk about farm legacy, succession planning, agricultural profitability, autonomous planting, local food systems, and the future of commodity agriculture. Quint shares the story of his family’s farm history dating back to the 1700s, how Affinity Farms shifted into distilling grains, why they brought outside investors into the operation, and how they are using technology and business structure to prepare for the next generation. This conversation goes far beyond nostalgia. Shay and Quint dig into the real pressures facing farms today, including land values, lending risk, equipment debt, thin margins, overleveraged operations, and the challenge of building a farm business that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. Quint also explains how autonomous tractors helped return hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the operation, why local markets and food systems may matter more in the future, and what farmers should be thinking about before the next major shift in agriculture. For farmers, lenders, ag business owners, and anyone thinking seriously about farm succession and long-term survival, this is a conversation about what it really takes to build a farm that lasts.

#778 - "Are the Highs In for Grain Markets?" - Weekly Market Outlook: May 18th - 22nd

This week on The Ag View Pitch, Chris talks with Brian Splitt of AgMarket.Net about the key grain market factors producers should be watching for the week of May 18–22. They cover planting progress, the market reaction after the China trade summit, fund selling, USDA corn and soybean balance sheets, soybean crush margins, crude oil and fertilizer pressure, and the major technical price levels now in play for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Brian also explains why old crop bushels, new crop pricing, target orders, and downside protection may need extra attention as markets sit near important support levels heading into the second half of May.

#777 - "Corn Basis, China & Planting" - Weekly Market Outlook: May 11th-15th

In this week’s Ag View Pitch Weekly Market Outlook for May 11–15, Chris Barron is joined by Paul Neiffer and Ryan Moe of StoneX to break down the biggest factors moving corn and soybean markets. The conversation covers old crop and new crop grain sales, the sharp difference between Eastern and Western Corn Belt corn movement, why Western Corn Belt basis could come under pressure later this summer, and how strong soybean crush margins are keeping buyers aggressive. They also discuss wheat and crude oil influence, fund positioning, China trade uncertainty, 2027 corn pricing opportunities, planting progress, wet field conditions, and what producers should be watching heading into mid-May. The episode wraps up with practical advice for farmers: stay alert on basis opportunities, avoid chasing short-lived rallies, focus on strong business decisions, and remember that today’s competitors are often global, not just local.

#776 - "Corn Rally, China Talks, and Farmer-Held Stocks" - Weekly Market Outlook: May 4th - 8th

In this week’s Market Outlook, Shay Foulk is joined by Alex Londerville with Cargill to discuss the recent strength in corn, soybeans, and wheat as markets react to planting progress, Brazil safrinha dryness, export demand, China trade discussions, crude oil pressure, and policy movement around 45Z and RVOs. They also discuss why farmers should stay alert during planting season, especially as profitable pricing opportunities appear while many producers are still holding old-crop corn in the bin. Correction/clarification from the episode: Alex noted farmer-held corn stocks across Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. The corrected figure is 120 million more on-farm stored bushels in Nebraska alone, and 580 million more year-over-year corn bushels across Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa combined.

#775 - Corn Acres, Planting Delays & Old Crop Marketing Strategy - Weekly Market Outlook: Apr 27 - May 1

Planting season is moving forward, but late April and early May are bringing plenty of questions for corn, soybeans, and grain marketing decisions. In this Weekly Market Outlook from The Ag View Pitch, we break down where acreage may still shift, how planting progress differs across the Corn Belt, and what farmers should be watching as the market reacts to weather, demand, and upcoming USDA reports. This episode covers corn acreage expectations, possible soybean acreage shifts, delayed planting conditions in parts of the Upper Midwest, and why large acreage changes may be less likely as southern crops continue moving ahead. We also discuss new crop marketing strategy, old crop grain decisions, storage management, cash flow needs, and why many producers may want to have bins cleaned out by the Fourth of July. On the market side, the conversation looks at strong corn export demand, fund positioning, drought concerns, soybean crush margins, biofuel demand, wheat crop conditions in Kansas, and the upcoming May USDA WASDE report. If you are a farmer trying to manage old crop sales, new crop pricing opportunities, planting risk, or grain storage decisions, this episode provides a practical look at the week ahead.