The markets have been a little wild lately...enough to give any farmer a little indigestion.  But if you have a plan and stick to it, it's easier.  Back in March we talked about building a strategy around a good understanding of your numbers.  Today KRVN's Ken Rahjes checks back in with Water Street Solutions Market Advisor Chip Nellinger for an update.

August 16 2010 Staying on Strategy - Nellinger.mp3 (1.35 mb)

Do you ever feel like some elements of marketing your crops or livestock are a little too risky for your comfort level?  If that's the case - it probably has a lot to do with what you know.  Water Street Solutions' President and CEO Darren Frye talks with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about the difference between hedging and speculating.

July 26 2010 Taking the Gamble Out of Marketing Tools - Frye.mp3 (2.75 mb)

It's amazing the correlation between successful people and those who have been able to take their mistakes and turn them into something positive.  In this interview, Water Street Solutions' Director of Development Dean Heffta talks through the process of making mistakes into a growth opportunity.  He shares with KRVN's Ken Rahjes seven key points around learning from our mistakes.  And the last one's a really good one.

July 19 2010 Learning From Our Mistakes - Heffta.mp3 (5.05 mb)

You have a lot of decisions to make on the farm, and some of those decisions are made by default as you run out of time before the next season.  Many times the timeline is set by others.  Imagine what would happen if you created the timeline by working ahead and being strategic about your farm - instead of being reactionary.  Water Street Solutions' Director of Development Dean Heffta talks about this topic with KRVN's Ken Rahjes.     

July 12 2010 Changing Your Decision Cycle for Better Strategy - Heffta.mp3 (3.39 mb)

A strong marketing strategy is not about having a crystal ball.  A good market advisor tracks the pieces of the economy and production that influence prices, but ultimately, no one can predict every market move.  History shows us that often good pricing opportunities come during the growing season.  Water Street Solutions Market Advisor Chip Nellinger talks here with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about marketing your crop during the growing season. 

July 6 2010 Marketing during THIS growing season Nellinger.mp3 (4.97 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here.  Marketing During THIS Growing Season

Marketing your crop is tough if you don't follow a strategy.  A good strategy involves knowing ahead of time what price you need to get out of the market because you know where you stand financially and what number you have to hit to handle your long term break evens, which include short term and long term debt, depreciation, family living expenses and profitability.  The next element that has to be in place is risk management.  KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks about this with Water Street Solutions' Market Advisor Chip Nellinger.

June 28 2010 Risk Management Key to Your Marketing Strategy.mp3 (4.58 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Risk Management Key to Your Marketing Strategy

The price tag is usually high when we're talking about shopping for the farm.  We buy equipment, land, storage buildings, make tiling and irrigation improvements.  Purchases on any of these items should made after some serious thought about the impact on the farm -- both the workings of the farm and the future capital position.  KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Water Street Solutions' President and CEO Darren Frye about this topic.

June 14 2010 Is This Purchase Feasible - Frye.mp3 (4.33 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Is This Purchase Feasible

No one can look in a crystal ball and really predict what the markets are going to do.  We can understand the fundamentals and track the technicals.  The best approach is to know just what you need from the market in order to achieve profit.  And that brings us to Understanding Your Break Evens.  KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions about how to get to a long term break even -- and the importance of knowing that number going forward into the growing season

June 7 2010 Understanding Your Break Evens.mp3 (3.66 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Understanding Your Break Evens

Farming is all about financial risk.  The capital needs are large and spring and summer weather is unpredictable.  This week KRVN's Ken Rahjes talks with Darren Frye, President and CEO of Water Street Solutions about using a financial analysis as a starting point and then layering crop insurance into the farm plan.  The process is especially important for growers in expansion mode.  Click on the link below to listen to the interview.

June 1 2010 Examining the Risk in Your Operation - Frye.mp3 (3.75 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Examining the Risk in Your Operation

It's a roadmap, or a checkup.  A financial analysis is a good first step toward mapping out your route on the farm.  Water Street Solutions President and CEO Darren Frye talks here with KRVN's Ken Rahjes about why you really should start your farming plans with a financial analysis. 

May 24 2010 Benefits of a Financial Analysis - Frye.mp3 (3.41 mb)

For the text of the interview, click here:  Benefits of a Financial Analysis