Crop Marketing Winnebago County Grain Marketing Thompson, Iowa Feb. 9, 2016 Chad Hart Associate Professor/Crop Markets Specialist chart@iastate.edu 515-294-9911 1 1

The Cash and Futures Markets Are Related Basis = Cash price – Futures price Rearranging terms: Cash price = Futures price + Basis So national (and international) events can affect local prices

Cash vs. Futures Prices Iowa Corn in 2015 The gap between the lines is the basis.

Market Participants Hedgers are willing to make or take physical delivery because they are producers or users of the commodity Use futures to protect against a price movement Cash and futures prices are highly correlated Hold counterbalancing positions in the two markets to manage the risk of price movement

Hedgers Farmers, livestock producers Merchandisers, elevators Food processors, feed manufacturers Exporters Importers What happens if the futures market is restricted to only hedgers?

Market Participants Speculators have no use for the physical commodity They buy or sell in an attempt to profit from price movements Add liquidity to the market May be part of the general public, professional traders or investment managers Short-term – “day traders” Long-term – buy or sell and hold

Market Participants Brokers exercise trade for traders and are paid a flat fee called a commission Futures are a “zero sum game” Losers pay winners Brokers always get paid commission

Hedging Holding equal and opposite positions in the cash and futures markets The substitution of a futures contract for a later cash-market transaction Who can hedge? Farmers, merchandisers, elevators, processors, exporter/importers

Short Hedgers Producers with a commodity to sell at some point in the future Are hurt by a price decline Sell the futures contract initially Buy the futures contract (offset) when they sell the physical commodity

Short Hedge Expected Price Futures prices when I place the hedge + Expected basis at delivery – Broker commission

Short Hedge Example As of Jan. 15, ($ per bushel) Nov. 2016 soybean futures $ 8.85 Historical basis for Nov. $-0.30 Rough commission on trade $-0.01 Expected price $ 8.54 Come November, the producer is ready to sell soybeans Prices could be higher or lower Basis could be narrower or wider than the historical average

Prices Went Up, Hist. Basis In November, buy back futures at $10.50 per bushel ($ per bushel) Nov. 2016 soybean futures $10.50 Actual basis for Nov. $-0.30 Local cash price $10.20 Net value from futures $-1.66 ($8.85 - $10.50 - $0.01) Net price $ 8.54

Prices Went Down, Hist. Basis In November, buy back futures at $7.00 per bushel ($ per bushel) Nov. 2016 soybean futures $ 7.00 Actual basis for Nov. $-0.30 Local cash price $ 6.70 Net value from futures $ 1.84 ($8.85 - $7.00 - $0.01) Net price $ 8.54

Short Hedge Graph Hedging Nov. 2016 Soybeans @ $8.85

Prices Went Down, Basis Change In November, buy back futures at $7.00 per bushel ($ per bushel) Nov. 2016 soybean futures $ 7.00 Actual basis for Nov. $-0.10 Local cash price $ 6.90 Net value from futures $ 1.84 ($8.85 - $7.00 - $0.01) Net price $ 8.74 Basis narrowed, net price improved

Margin Accounts A margin account is an account that traders maintain in the market to ensure contract performance. There are minimum limits on the size of the account. Crop Trader Type Initial Maintenance Corn Hedger/Speculator $1,100 $1,000 Soybeans Hedger/Speculator $2,310 $2,100 Lean Hogs Hedger/Speculator $1,320 $1,200 Live Cattle Hedger/Speculator $1,980 $1,800 To trade, you must create a margin account with at least the “Initial” amount and maintain at least the “Maintenance” amount in the account at the end of each trading day.

Margin Calls Margin accounts are rebalanced each day Depending on the value of futures Settlement price If your futures are losing value, money is taken out of the margin account to cover the loss If the account value falls below the “Maintenance” level, you receive a margin call (a call to put additional money in your margin account) and the balance is brought back up to the Initial amount

Margin Example Let’s say I went short on Mar. 2016 corn $3.5175/bushel on Jan. 11 Along with selling a corn futures contract, I have to establish a margin account and deposit $1,100 in it On Jan. 15, the Mar. 2015 corn futures price moved to $3.6325/bushel Since I’ll be buying the futures contract later, this price move is not in my favor

Margin Example I lost 11.5 cents per bushel and since the contract is for 5,000 bushels, that’s a loss of $575 At the end of the day (Jan. 15), my margin account will be tapped for $575, lowering the account balance to $625 Since $625 is less than the “Maintenance” level ($1,000), I will receive a margin call and be asked to deposit $575 more into the account or to close out the futures position The $575 brings the account balance back up to the initial requirement

Margin Example #2 Let’s say, instead of going short, I went long on May 2016 corn $3.575/bushel on Jan. 11 Along with buying a corn futures contract, I have to establish a margin account and deposit $1,100 in it On Jan. 15, the May 2015 corn futures price moved to $3.675/bushel Since I’ll be selling back the futures contract later, this price move is in my favor

Margin Example #2 I gained 10 cents per bushel and since the contract is for 5,000 bushels, that’s a gain of $500 At the end of the day (Jan. 15), $500 will be added to my margin account, raising the account balance to $1,600 Since $1,600 is greater than the “Maintenance” level, I will not receive a margin call

Margin Example – Going Short Date Price Gain Margin Call Account Balance 1/08/16 $3.6275 $1,100 1/11/16 $3.575 +$262.50 $1,362.50 1/12/16 $3.6225 -$237.50 $1,125 1/13/16 $3.63 -$37.50 $1,087.50 1/14/16 +$12.50 1/15/16 $3.675 +$237.50

Margin Example – Going Long Date Price Gain Margin Call Account Balance 1/08/16 $3.6275 $1,100 1/11/16 $3.575 -$262.50 +262.50 1/12/16 $3.6225 +$237.50 $1,337.50 1/13/16 $3.63 +$37.50 $1,375 1/14/16 -$12.50 $1,362.50 1/15/16 $3.675 $1,125

Dec. Corn Futures Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct 2000 2.34 2.28 2.49 2.52 2.53 2.64 2.40 1.94 1.87 1.96 2.08 2001 2.54 2.45 2.47 2.16 2.37 2.24 2.09 2002 2.46 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.19 2.22 2.26 2.33 2.62 2.76 2003 2.41 2.38 2.50 2.42 2.11 2.14 2004 2.48 2.81 2.95 3.11 2.85 2.80 2.07 2005 2.29 2.04 2006 2.43 2.57 2.63 2.71 2.82 2.68 2.77 3.15 2007 3.45 3.50 3.95 3.99 4.08 3.75 3.92 3.69 3.51 3.49 2008 4.32 4.51 5.13 5.30 5.75 6.04 6.50 7.65 6.29 5.18 5.63 4.03 2009 4.43 4.20 4.54 4.06 4.18 4.07 4.40 4.48 3.32 3.28 3.20 3.72 2010 4.37 4.38 3.97 3.94 3.80 3.71 4.27 4.78 2011 5.09 5.29 5.71 6.18 5.78 6.53 6.27 7.13 6.37 7.15 7.37 6.40 2012 5.74 5.52 5.55 5.60 5.37 5.05 5.44 7.40 8.09 7.82 7.51 2013 6.30 6.28 5.77 5.47 5.50 5.33 4.53 4.59 4.33 2014 4.69 4.58 4.60 4.87 4.99 3.79 3.64 3.39 3.34 Source: CBOT, Futures Price for 2nd Friday of the month

Marketing Types Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price Extended Time and Price

Marketing Types Harvest Takes the harvest price for 100% of their grain

Average Price Captured Harvest 2000 1.66 2001 1.69 2002 2.29 2003 1.88 2004 1.73 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2007 3.02 2008 3.69 2009 3.47 2010 5.04 2011 6.10 2012 7.42 2013 4.30 2014 2.96 Average 3.29 Min Max

Marketing Types Averaging Sells 10% of their grain via futures each month January-July Sells the remaining 30% at harvest Sets basis at harvest

Dec. Corn Futures Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct 2000 2.34 2.28 2.49 2.52 2.53 2.64 2.40 1.94 1.87 1.96 2.08 2001 2.54 2.45 2.47 2.16 2.37 2.24 2.09 2002 2.46 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.19 2.22 2.26 2.33 2.62 2.76 2003 2.41 2.38 2.50 2.42 2.11 2.14 2004 2.48 2.81 2.95 3.11 2.85 2.80 2.07 2005 2.29 2.04 2006 2.43 2.57 2.63 2.71 2.82 2.68 2.77 3.15 2007 3.45 3.50 3.95 3.99 4.08 3.75 3.92 3.69 3.51 3.49 2008 4.32 4.51 5.13 5.30 5.75 6.04 6.50 7.65 6.29 5.18 5.63 4.03 2009 4.43 4.20 4.54 4.06 4.18 4.07 4.40 4.48 3.32 3.28 3.20 3.72 2010 4.37 4.38 3.97 3.94 3.80 3.71 4.27 4.78 2011 5.09 5.29 5.71 6.18 5.78 6.53 6.27 7.13 6.37 7.15 7.37 6.40 2012 5.74 5.52 5.55 5.60 5.37 5.05 5.44 7.40 8.09 7.82 7.51 2013 6.30 6.28 5.77 5.47 5.50 5.33 4.53 4.59 4.33 2014 4.69 4.58 4.60 4.87 4.99 3.79 3.64 3.39 3.34

Average Price Captured Harvest Averaging 2000 1.66 1.91 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2003 1.88 2.05 2004 1.73 2.24 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2.35 2007 3.02 3.27 2008 3.69 5.13 2009 3.47 3.77 2010 5.04 3.84 2011 6.10 6.02 2012 7.42 6.17 2013 4.30 5.08 2014 2.96 3.85 Average 3.29 3.42 Min Max

Marketing Types Price Target Sells 25% of grain via futures when futures price > production cost Sells 25% when futures > costs + $0.25 Sells 25% when futures > costs + $0.50 Sells remaining 25% at harvest Sets basis at harvest Defaults to harvest sales when price objectives are not reached Will start selling in the November before planting

Costs of Production Cost Cost + 0.25 Cost + 0.50 2000 2.43 2.68 2.93 2001 2.56 2.81 3.06 2002 2.55 2.80 3.05 2003 2.42 2.67 2.92 2004 2.58 2.83 3.08 2005 2.79 3.04 3.29 2006 2.86 3.11 3.36 2007 3.54 2008 3.63 3.88 4.13 2009 4.43 4.68 4.93 2010 3.48 3.73 3.98 2011 3.99 4.24 4.49 2012 4.40 4.65 4.90 2013 4.46 4.71 4.96 2014 Source: Iowa State University Extension, Dr. Michael Duffy

Dec. Corn Futures Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct 2000 2.34 2.28 2.49 2.52 2.53 2.64 2.40 1.94 1.87 1.96 2.08 2001 2.54 2.45 2.47 2.16 2.37 2.24 2.09 2002 2.46 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.19 2.22 2.26 2.33 2.62 2.76 2003 2.41 2.38 2.50 2.42 2.11 2.14 2004 2.48 2.81 2.95 3.11 2.85 2.80 2.07 2005 2.29 2.04 2006 2.43 2.57 2.63 2.71 2.82 2.68 2.77 3.15 2007 3.45 3.50 3.95 3.99 4.08 3.75 3.92 3.69 3.51 3.49 2008 4.32 4.51 5.13 5.30 5.75 6.04 6.50 7.65 6.29 5.18 5.63 4.03 2009 4.43 4.20 4.54 4.06 4.18 4.07 4.40 4.48 3.32 3.28 3.20 3.72 2010 4.37 4.38 3.97 3.94 3.80 3.71 4.27 4.78 2011 5.09 5.29 5.71 6.18 5.78 6.53 6.27 7.13 6.37 7.15 7.37 6.40 2012 5.74 5.52 5.55 5.60 5.37 5.05 5.44 7.40 8.09 7.82 7.51 2013 6.30 6.28 5.77 5.47 5.50 5.33 4.53 4.59 4.33 2014 4.69 4.58 4.60 4.87 4.99 3.79 3.64 3.39 3.34

Average Price Captured Harvest Averaging Price Target 2000 1.66 1.91 1.76 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2.31 2003 1.88 2.05 1.96 2004 1.73 2.24 2.40 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2.35 2007 3.02 3.27 3.11 2008 3.69 5.13 4.16 2009 3.47 3.77 3.68 2010 5.04 3.84 3.87 2011 6.10 6.02 5.25 2012 7.42 6.17 5.97 2013 4.30 5.08 5.63 2014 2.96 3.85 4.00 Average 3.29 3.42 3.33 Min Max

Marketing Types Time and Price Sell 25% in March Sell 25% in April Sell 25% in May Sell 25% at harvest Sets basis at harvest Only make March-May sales if futures prices > production costs Defaults to harvest sales if price objectives are not reached

Dec. Corn Futures Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct 2000 2.34 2.28 2.49 2.52 2.53 2.64 2.40 1.94 1.87 1.96 2.08 2001 2.54 2.45 2.47 2.16 2.37 2.24 2.09 2002 2.46 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.19 2.22 2.26 2.33 2.62 2.76 2003 2.41 2.38 2.50 2.42 2.11 2.14 2004 2.48 2.81 2.95 3.11 2.85 2.80 2.07 2005 2.29 2.04 2006 2.43 2.57 2.63 2.71 2.82 2.68 2.77 3.15 2007 3.45 3.50 3.95 3.99 4.08 3.75 3.92 3.69 3.51 3.49 2008 4.32 4.51 5.13 5.30 5.75 6.04 6.50 7.65 6.29 5.18 5.63 4.03 2009 4.43 4.20 4.54 4.06 4.18 4.07 4.40 4.48 3.32 3.28 3.20 3.72 2010 4.37 4.38 3.97 3.94 3.80 3.71 4.27 4.78 2011 5.09 5.29 5.71 6.18 5.78 6.53 6.27 7.13 6.37 7.15 7.37 6.40 2012 5.74 5.52 5.55 5.60 5.37 5.05 5.44 7.40 8.09 7.82 7.51 2013 6.30 6.28 5.77 5.47 5.50 5.33 4.53 4.59 4.33 2014 4.69 4.58 4.60 4.87 4.99 3.79 3.64 3.39 3.34

Average Price Captured Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price 2000 1.66 1.91 1.76 2.02 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2.31 2003 1.88 2.05 1.96 2004 1.73 2.24 2.40 2.41 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2.35 2007 3.02 3.27 3.11 3.28 2008 3.69 5.13 4.16 5.24 2009 3.47 3.77 3.68 2010 5.04 3.84 3.87 3.74 2011 6.10 6.02 5.25 5.94 2012 7.42 6.17 5.97 5.80 2013 4.30 5.08 5.63 5.12 2014 2.96 3.85 4.00 4.17 Average 3.29 3.42 3.33 3.41 Min Max

Marketing Types Extended Time and Price Sell 25% in March or when futures prices > production costs Sell 25% in April or when futures prices > costs + $0.25 Sell 25% in May or when futures prices > costs + $0.50 Only make March-May sales if futures prices > costs Sell remaining crop at harvest Sets basis at harvest Defaults to harvest sales if price objectives are not reached

Dec. Corn Futures Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct 2000 2.34 2.28 2.49 2.52 2.53 2.64 2.40 1.94 1.87 1.96 2.08 2001 2.54 2.45 2.47 2.16 2.37 2.24 2.09 2002 2.46 2.39 2.31 2.30 2.19 2.22 2.26 2.33 2.62 2.76 2003 2.41 2.38 2.50 2.42 2.11 2.14 2004 2.48 2.81 2.95 3.11 2.85 2.80 2.07 2005 2.29 2.04 2006 2.43 2.57 2.63 2.71 2.82 2.68 2.77 3.15 2007 3.45 3.50 3.95 3.99 4.08 3.75 3.92 3.69 3.51 3.49 2008 4.32 4.51 5.13 5.30 5.75 6.04 6.50 7.65 6.29 5.18 5.63 4.03 2009 4.43 4.20 4.54 4.06 4.18 4.07 4.40 4.48 3.32 3.28 3.20 3.72 2010 4.37 4.38 3.97 3.94 3.80 3.71 4.27 4.78 2011 5.09 5.29 5.71 6.18 5.78 6.53 6.27 7.13 6.37 7.15 7.37 6.40 2012 5.74 5.52 5.55 5.60 5.37 5.05 5.44 7.40 8.09 7.82 7.51 2013 6.30 6.28 5.77 5.47 5.50 5.33 4.53 4.59 4.33 2014 4.69 4.58 4.60 4.87 4.99 3.79 3.64 3.39 3.34

Average Price Captured Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price Extended Time and Price 2000 1.66 1.91 1.76 2.02 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2.31 2.35 2003 1.88 2.05 1.96 2004 1.73 2.24 2.40 2.41 2.33 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2007 3.02 3.27 3.11 3.28 2008 3.69 5.13 4.16 5.24 2009 3.47 3.77 3.68 2010 5.04 3.84 3.87 3.74 2011 6.10 6.02 5.25 5.94 2012 7.42 6.17 5.97 5.80 2013 4.30 5.08 5.63 5.12 2014 2.96 3.85 4.00 4.17 Average 3.29 3.42 3.33 3.41 3.34 Min Max

Extended Time and Price Lowest Average Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price Extended Time and Price 2000 1.66 1.91 1.76 2.02 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2.31 2.35 2003 1.88 2.05 1.96 2004 1.73 2.24 2.40 2.41 2.33 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2007 3.02 3.27 3.11 3.28 2008 3.69 5.13 4.16 5.24 2009 3.47 3.77 3.68 2010 5.04 3.84 3.87 3.74 2011 6.10 6.02 5.25 5.94 2012 7.42 6.17 5.97 5.80 2013 4.30 5.08 5.63 5.12 2014 2.96 3.85 4.00 4.17 Lowest out of 15 years 10 2 3 6 4

Extended Time and Price Highest Average Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price Extended Time and Price 2000 1.66 1.91 1.76 2.02 2001 1.69 1.87 2002 2.29 2.11 2.31 2.35 2003 1.88 2.05 1.96 2004 1.73 2.24 2.40 2.41 2.33 2005 1.48 2006 2.69 2007 3.02 3.27 3.11 3.28 2008 3.69 5.13 4.16 5.24 2009 3.47 3.77 3.68 2010 5.04 3.84 3.87 3.74 2011 6.10 6.02 5.25 5.94 2012 7.42 6.17 5.97 5.80 2013 4.30 5.08 5.63 5.12 2014 2.96 3.85 4.00 4.17 Highest out of 15 years 4 2 6

Extended Time and Price Longer History Harvest Averaging Price Target Time and Price Extended Time and Price Average 2.59 2.70 2.65 2.66 Min 1.14 1.41 Max 7.42 6.17 5.97 5.94 Low Price 25 8 4 11 9 High Price 10 16 Out of 39 years (1976-2014)

Thank you for your time. Any questions. My web site: http://www2. econ Thank you for your time! Any questions? My web site: http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/hart/ Iowa Farm Outlook: http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/ifo/ Ag Decision Maker: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/