Grain marketing strategy that pays off at harvest

Grain marketing is the strategy you use to sell your crops at the right time, for the right price. It’s about more than just watching the board. Good grain marketing means knowing your breakeven, understanding your cash flow needs, and planning ahead so you don’t sell out of fear—or hold too long and miss the top.

It includes things like:

• Setting price targets based on your actual costs
• Choosing when and how to contract (cash sale, HTA, futures, etc.)
• Timing sales around your storage capacity and tax plan

Bottom line: grain marketing is how you turn your hard work into real profit. The better your numbers, the better your plan.

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The best grain marketing strategy is the one that fits your farm. It starts with knowing your breakeven—both cash and accrual—so you’re not guessing when to sell. From there, you’ll want to consider your storage capacity, your appetite for risk, your cash flow needs throughout the year, and how your crop insurance or financing might impact timing.

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Once you’ve got that figured out, you can use tools like forward contracts, basis contracts, or on-farm storage to build a plan that protects your downside while giving you room for upside. No two farms are the same. That’s why the right strategy starts in the office—not the elevator.

Breakeven should be your starting point for every grain sale.

When you know exactly what it cost you to grow each bushel, you can set price targets that actually make money. You’ll stop wondering if a contract offer is “good enough” and start knowing when it locks in a profit.
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Breakeven pricing helps you avoid two big risks: selling too low out of fear, or holding too long chasing a high that never comes.

That’s why the best grain marketers are also the best number trackers.

Knowing your breakeven per bushel is easier than you think.

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It can be, if you have the numbers to back it up. On-farm storage gives you the power to wait. You’re not stuck taking harvest-time bids just to clear the combine. That flexibility can help you capture better prices later in the season.

But storage isn’t free. You have to factor in the cost of bins, maintenance, shrink, and interest on that grain sitting in the bin.

The key is knowing your breakeven and cash flow. If holding grain means missing loan payments or delaying inputs, it might cost more than it’s worth. But if your numbers show you can store and wait for a better basis or rally, it can be a smart move.

Storage isn’t a strategy by itself. It’s a tool. Your accounting should tell you when to use it.

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At least once a month. More often during key windows like pre-harvest, post-harvest, and when market conditions shift.

Your marketing plan isn’t a one-and-done document.

It should adjust with your breakeven, cash flow needs, weather, and market trends. If your input costs change or you lock in a contract, your plan should reflect that. A regular review keeps you in control, not reacting.

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We don’t tell you when to sell. We show you what selling will actually mean for your farm.

Traction Ag gives you your true breakeven per bushel, per field, and per crop year. That way, you can look at a contract offer and know, right away, if it’s going to make you money or not.

Traction also ties your field records, crop inventory, and financials together. So when you sell, your records update. When prices change, you can see the impact on profit. No more guessing, no more spreadsheets, no more flying blind.

The best marketing decisions come from clear numbers. That’s exactly what we give you.

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