Farmers see challenges, rewards of value-added crops
Author
Published
10/16/2017
As with all commodities, the premium grains market has its ups and downs. And farmers must continually assess whether the extra money is worth the extra work, not to mention the extra risk.
For many growing value-added crops, times of low grain prices make producing such products as food-grade corn or non-GMO soybeans more appealing. Still, farmers must be willing to go the extra mile, dealing with issues such as weed control and on-farm storage.
Non-GMO soybeans are bringing an extra $1.10 per bushel or more in many places.
“It’s been very popular,” said Kurt Simmons of Champaign-based Premier Cooperative. “When the market gets a little lower, that $1.10 makes a big difference to them. Demand has been pretty good.”
Premier Cooperative, which has 26 locations in Illinois, contracts with bigger players such as Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland to collect premium crops.
Read the full article on the Iowa Farmer Today website.
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