AgOutlook Speaker Preview: Sue Martin

The 12th annual AgOutlook Trade Show and Conference will be held December 8, 2016 at the Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. AgOutlook draws more than 1,000 farmers, industry representatives and thought leaders to the one-day event.

Along with a trade show and networking opportunities, AgOutlook features nationally recognized speakers who will help farmers understand opportunities in farm futures. Attendees will also get a view of anticipated future weather and economic trends that will impact how they plan for the year ahead.

Sue Martin is one of the featured speakers on this year’s agenda. Based in Webster City, Iowa, she is president of Ag & Investment Services, Inc., a full-service brokerage firm and managing partner of Futures Cash Info, LLC., an analytical consulting firm. Martin also offers daily commentary and market analysis on a variety of U.S. radio stations across the country. With more than 30 years of experience in the commodity arena, Martin is an analyst for syndicated television shows “U.S. Farm Report,” “Ag Day” and “Market to Market.”

Martin will focus her presentation on the outlook for 2017 and the global factors influencing the market in the year ahead. Martin says she will mix optimism with reality. After a long stretch of years with strong prices, 2016 gave farmers a real challenge.

“2016 was more of what I call an old-fashioned market,” Martin says. “There are always opportunities in a year. It just depends on the timing. We have information as far back as 1908, so we can look at similar years to see patterns on how years with low prices could unfold.”

Martin says basis levels will also be discussed as they can provide a glimpse into what the markets might do and how farmers can use that information to their advantage.

“When grain prices are in a downward trend, which no one enjoys, farmers tend not to be as aggressive,” Martin adds. “We’re coming off seven years of fabulous prices. We know there are years where that doesn’t happen, so we have to be prepared and look ahead.”

Martin says other factors such as crop size, foreign currency rates and weather trends will play a role in profit opportunities.

Martin is the day’s first presenter, speaking at 10:30 a.m. For more information on AgOutlook, click here.