How to Choose a Grain Marketing Advisor

Ask every advisor the same five questions, including Klarenbach. Here they are, with Klarenbach's answers.

Who this is for

Farmers and traders in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the US Midwest who are comparing advisors. New to grain marketing? Start with Grain Marketing 101.

Questions to ask

Who decides the sale?

You should. A Klarenbach report gives you the target and the signal; you place the contract.

What is the fee?

Get the full fee in writing, including what happens if you cancel. Klarenbach: each report is $157.50 a month or $1,575 a year, CAD plus applicable tax, and both reports are $2,625 a year. Free 30-day trial, no refunds after it ends. Portfolio Consulting is priced by consultation.

Is a return guaranteed?

It shouldn't be. James Mintert of Purdue University wrote in 2020 that there is no empirical evidence any advisor or firm can consistently identify market tops or bottoms over long periods. Be wary of anyone who implies otherwise. Klarenbach's pricing FAQ says it plainly: positive returns are not guaranteed.

Where is the record written down?

Ask for specific, dated calls you can check. Klarenbach publishes individual calls on the case studies page. Read any headline number alongside the calls behind it.

Which crops?

Make sure the advisor actually covers your crops. Klarenbach's Grain Report: wheat, canola, barley, oats, corn, soybeans, and flax. Special Crops Report: peas, lentils, chickpeas, canaryseed, and mustard.

Then test before you commit. Both reports start with a free 30-day trial, so you can read the signals live before you pay.

What to do next