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

#783 - Fund Selling Pressures Grain Markets - Weekly Market Outlook: Jun 1-5

As June begins, corn and soybean markets are shifting from geopolitics and outside-market headlines back toward weather, planting progress, basis, and supply expectations. In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, Chris Barron visits with Jeff Fichtelman to break down what farmers should be watching during the June 1–5 marketing week. They discuss old crop corn basis, how much grain may still be in farmer hands, why strong basis opportunities do not always line up with flat price, and how farmers can think through basis-only contracts. Jeff also explains why managed money fund positions matter, how fund selling can pressure nearby futures, and why the market may be vulnerable if speculators continue liquidating long corn and soybean positions. The conversation also covers wet conditions and replant concerns in parts of the Eastern Corn Belt, late planting risk, USDA yield expectations, new crop corn and soybean sales, harvest delivery bushels, cost of carry, and why emotion often gets in the way of good grain marketing decisions. For farmers looking at 2026 crop sales, old crop movement, harvest basis, or whether to price more corn and soybeans before summer weather takes over, this episode gives a practical look at the decisions that matter right now. Topics covered: corn prices, soybean prices, grain marketing, old crop basis, new crop sales, fund selling, managed money, Eastern Corn Belt planting delays, harvest bushels, cost of carry, crop insurance planting window, and June market outlook.

#782 - Vance Crowe on Better Conversations, Family Business, and Hard Disagreements

In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, Shay sits down with Vance Crowe for a conversation about communication, family business, disagreement, curiosity, and the stories that shape how people work together. Vance shares why better conversations often start with humility, genuine curiosity, and the ability to ask questions without judgment. Shay and Vance discuss how this applies inside farm operations, family businesses, marriage, leadership, and difficult conversations where people may not see the world the same way. They also talk about the value of family stories, why people repeat certain stories over time, how conflict can reveal hard-earned wisdom, and why communication may become one of the most important skills in a world changing quickly through technology and artificial intelligence. For farmers, business owners, and families trying to work through hard conversations with more trust and less defensiveness, this episode offers a practical look at how to listen better, ask better questions, and handle disagreement in a healthier way. Learn more about Vance Crowe’s Interest-Based Communication course: https://articulate.ventures/ibc

#781 - What’s Up at Ag View? Farm Profit Manager, Peer Groups & Planting Updates

In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, the team gives a spring update on what’s happening across Ag View Solutions, Farm Profit Manager, peer groups, consulting work, machinery decisions, transition planning, and what they are seeing on the farm after a wet April and uneven spring planting season. Sam Fehl also joins the podcast to introduce himself as Ag View’s summer intern and shares what he is working on with Farm Profit Manager, producer education, and learning from the next generation of farm leaders. The conversation also covers family farm communication, estate planning, equipment decisions, crop conditions, side-dressing, spraying, and why taking time to learn from older generations can be one of the most valuable things young farmers can do.

#780 - Critical June Marketing Decisions for Corn & Soybeans - Weekly Market Outlook: May 26-29

This week on The Ag View Pitch, we break down the key grain market factors farmers need to watch heading into the end of May and early June. With planting mostly wrapped up, the focus shifts to corn and soybean crop conditions, weather forecasts, old crop decisions, new crop pricing opportunities, basis, inflation, fertilizer costs, crude oil, and ongoing volatility tied to Iran and global headlines. Joe Vaclavik joins the conversation to discuss why the next few weeks matter for corn and soybean marketing, especially for old crop bushels and new crop bushels without storage. We also talk through seasonal market tendencies, why mid-June is an important decision window, how basis differs across regions, and why having target orders working may help producers stay disciplined during a busy spraying and side-dressing season. For farmers trying to manage risk, protect margins, and make better grain marketing decisions, this episode focuses on practical takeaways for the 2026 crop year. Topics include corn markets, soybean markets, wheat influence, grain basis, old crop corn, new crop corn, fertilizer costs, inflation, crude oil volatility, weather outlooks, crop conditions, and farm marketing strategy.

#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.