Posted on
Picture of Erik Vruwink

Erik Vruwink

Feed Sales Manager


Corn silage harvest is wrapping up and grain harvest is underway. Equipment is rolling, fields are changing color, and attention is focused on getting this year’s crop safely harvested.

For livestock producers, though, harvest season is also a time to look ahead.

The conversations ALCIVIA’s feed team is having with producers right now aren’t centered on any one product or program. Instead, they’re focused on helping farmers navigate the decisions, opportunities, and challenges that come with changing seasons. Whether it’s evaluating forage quality, exploring commodity options, preparing for winter, or identifying ways to improve efficiency, now is a good time to take stock of where your operation stands.

Make the Most of This Year’s Forage

Every forage crop is different. Rainfall, harvest timing, maturity, storage conditions, and numerous other factors can influence the quality of the feed you have available.

That’s why forage sampling remains such an important tool this time of year. Understanding what you’re feeding allows you to make more informed decisions and helps remove some of the guesswork as you prepare for the winter months ahead. ALCIVIA’s feed team continues to work with producers who want support evaluating forage quality and understanding what those results mean for their operation.

Look for Opportunities, Not Just Challenges

A common theme in conversations with producers this fall has been the search for opportunities to control costs and improve efficiency. With margins under pressure, every operation is looking for ways to maximize value without sacrificing performance.

That may mean discussing commodity markets, exploring alternative ingredients, or looking for more purchasing opportunities. Other times it’s simply reviewing what’s working and what isn’t.

Every farm is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is to evaluate available options and find solutions that fit the unique needs of each operation.

Winter Starts Before the Snow Falls

With cold Midwest weather right around the corner, now is the ideal time to begin preparing livestock for seasonal changes.

Producers are already having conversations about calf care, herd readiness, and the management considerations that come with shorter days and colder temperatures. Taking a proactive approach today can help reduce stress tomorrow and position animals for success as winter arrives.

Keep an Eye on Market Opportunities

Markets continue to create both challenges and opportunities. Staying informed can help producers make timely decisions and take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Whether it’s monitoring commodity markets, discussing purchasing strategies, or evaluating ALCIVIA’s mineral contracting opportunities available through October 31, having a plan in place can help create more flexibility heading into winter.

A Resource for Your Operation

No two farms are exactly alike. One producer may be focused on forage quality. Another may be preparing for winter feeding. Someone else may be evaluating commodity opportunities or looking for ways to improve efficiency.

Whatever is top of mind on your operation, ALCIVIA’s feed team is here to help. Our role is not to tell you how to run your farm. It’s to be a resource, provide insights, answer questions, and help connect you with solutions that support your goals.

As harvest continues, now is a great time to start those conversations and prepare for the season ahead.

Learn More about ALCIVIA Feed
Posted on
Picture of Dylan Beaver

Dylan Beaver

Grain Sales Manager

 

Harvest is moving forward across our trade area, although soybean harvest has gotten off to a slower start than many expected. As fields continue to dry down and combines keep rolling, it won’t be long before attention shifts to corn.

While harvest is always focused on getting the crop out, it’s also a time to make sure every load and every marketing decision is working as hard as possible for your operation.

Keep an Eye on Your Margins

This year, many growers are feeling pressure from rising costs while grain markets remain relatively steady.

Fuel is a good example. Over the last month, diesel prices have moved higher while grain values have softened. That means transportation costs matter more than ever when you’re deciding where to deliver grain and whether additional hauling miles will pay for themselves.

As you move grain this fall, it’s worth asking:

  • Does a higher bid offset the extra trucking cost?
  • Is now the right time for a sale, or does storage make more sense?
  • Are there opportunities to create additional value with grain you’re already producing?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but taking time to evaluate the full picture can help protect margins in a year where every dollar counts.

Follow the Demand

One of the questions we hear most often is, “Where is my grain going?”

That’s a fair question, especially as demand continues to evolve. Understanding where your grain fits into the supply chain can provide valuable context when evaluating marketing opportunities. Whether grain is destined for feed, food, renewable fuels, or processing, local demand continues to play a major role in market opportunities.

Prepare for the Transition to Corn

Over the next few weeks, many growers will be wrapping up soybean harvest and moving into corn. With plant health beginning to fade in some areas, harvest timing will be critical.

It’s also a good opportunity to revisit your marketing plan.

Whether you’re making your first sale, evaluating storage opportunities, or looking at the next marketing move, having a plan before the grain reaches the bin can help take some uncertainty out of the process.

Harvest Is More Than Getting the Crop Out

Harvest is one of the few times each year when production, logistics, and marketing all come together at once. The decisions you make over the next month, from harvest timing to grain movement and sales, can have a meaningful impact on your bottom line.

As you work through harvest, keep looking for opportunities to create value, reduce unnecessary costs, and position your operation for the months ahead. The ALCIVIA grain team is here to help you navigate through the process and protect your bottom line, so give us a call to talk through your grain marketing plan.

We appreciate the trust you place in ALCIVIA and wish you a safe, productive harvest season.

Learn More about ALCIVIA Grain