Grain Marketing Advisory Services for Farmers: Your Options
Quick answer: Grain marketing advisory services come in four main types: brokers who execute trades, full-service advisors who build and run a plan with you, newsletters with market commentary, and sell-signal reports that give dated price levels and sell signals. Choose by who makes the decision, how the service is paid, and whether you want trades executed for you.
By Trent Klarenbach, BSA AgEc, PAg, founder and lead analyst, Klarenbach Research, Saskatoon, SK
The four kinds of grain marketing help
Most farmers I talk to aren't short on advice. They're short on a clear picture of what kind of help they're actually paying for. Here's the plain version.
Grain brokers
A broker opens your futures and options account and executes trades. Brokers are often paid by commission on each trade. If you want hedges placed, this is who places them. More on that in grain broker vs advisor.
Full-service advisors
A full-service advisor builds a written marketing plan with you and stays in touch through the season. Some place hedges or coordinate execution. They're usually paid a fee or a retainer.
Market newsletters
Newsletters give commentary and outlooks. Many are free or come bundled with a broker or a farm publication. You read it and decide what it means for your bins.
Sell-signal reports
Sell-signal reports are short, crop-specific emails with dated price levels and sell signals. You act at your own elevator or buyer. See newsletter vs advisor.
And a fifth option: market it yourself
Plenty of farmers do their own marketing and do it well. If you have the time and like the charts, that's a real option. See marketing your own grain.
Compare them on five questions
| Type | Who decides the sale? | How is it paid? | Executes trades? | Your time each week | Covers canola, durum, pulses? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broker | You, often with the broker's input | Often commission per trade | Yes | Depends on how active you trade | Depends on the broker |
| Full-service advisor | You and the advisor, against a written plan | Usually a fee or retainer | Some do | Lower; the advisor carries much of the load | Depends on the advisor |
| Newsletter | You | Often free, bundled, or a subscription | No | Reading time, plus your own interpretation | Varies; many are US-focused |
| Sell-signal report | You, with clear sell signals | Subscription | No | A few minutes per report | Depends on the report |
| Do it yourself | You | Your own time | Through your own account or buyer | The most | Whatever you track |
Alternatives to broker newsletters and big US farm publications
Some farmers start looking elsewhere for two reasons. First, a newsletter tied to a brokerage may come from someone who earns more when you trade more. That doesn't make it wrong, but it's a fair question to ask: is the writer paid when you trade? Second, the big US publications naturally focus on corn, soybeans and US wheat. If you grow canola, CWRS, durum or pulses, you may want analysis written for your crops.
What to look for in an alternative
- Independent, with no commissions.
- A clear call, not a long story with the conclusion buried at the end.
- Covers the Prairie crops you actually grow.
- A dated record you can go back and check.
More in how to choose a grain marketing advisor.
Where Klarenbach fits
Klarenbach Research is independent. We take no commissions, we don't execute trades, and we don't tell you what percentage of your crop to sell. You sell through your own elevator or buyer, and the decisions stay yours.
I operated a large farm for its time near Eatonia, Saskatchewan, and I've spent 11 years applying technical analysis to Prairie grain marketing. That's the lens the reports use: price first, headlines second.
Self-directed reports
The Klarenbach Grain Report covers wheat, canola, barley, oats, corn, soybeans and flax. The Klarenbach Special Crops Report covers peas, lentils, chickpeas, canaryseed and mustard. Each report email has a video analysis, a text summary and charts.
Portfolio Consulting
For farms that want a plan built around their own costs, risk and goals, Portfolio Consulting is one-on-one. Pricing is by contact; see the pricing page.
Prices
Each report is $157.50 a month or $1,575 a year. Both reports together are $2,625 a year. All prices in CAD, plus applicable taxes. Every subscription starts with a free 30-day trial; no refunds after the trial. Full details on the grain marketing advisor page.
Which option suits which farm
- You want someone to place hedges: a broker or a full-service advisor.
- You want a plan built with you: a full-service advisor, or Portfolio Consulting.
- You want a quick, independent call and to keep selling yourself: a sell-signal report.
- You have the time and like the charts: do it yourself, and learn technical analysis.
Still deciding? Read do I need a grain marketing advisor and is a grain marketing advisor worth it.
Questions
What are grain marketing advisory services?
Help with pricing and selling grain: brokers who execute trades, full-service advisors who build a plan with you, newsletters, and sell-signal reports.
What is the difference between a grain broker and a grain marketing advisor?
A broker executes futures and options trades and is often paid per trade. An advisor helps you decide what and when to sell; some execute, some don't. Klarenbach doesn't.
What is a good alternative to a broker's grain marketing newsletter?
An independent service that takes no commissions, gives clear sell signals, and covers your crops.
Is there an alternative to big US farm publications for Prairie crops?
Yes. Look for analysis that covers canola, CWRS, durum and pulses directly. The Klarenbach Grain Report and Special Crops Report do.
Does Klarenbach execute trades or take commissions?
No to both. You sell through your own elevator or buyer.
How much does Klarenbach cost?
Each report is $157.50 a month or $1,575 a year, or $2,625 a year for both, CAD plus tax, with a free 30-day trial. Portfolio Consulting has no public price.
Will an advisory service get me a better price?
No one can promise that. Klarenbach does not guarantee positive returns, and the decisions stay yours.
What to do next
Start a free 30-day trial of the Klarenbach Grain Report or the Klarenbach Special Crops Report. Want a plan built around your farm? See Portfolio Consulting on the pricing page.
Nothing here is investment advice. Past results are not a guarantee, and marketing decisions remain yours.
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