From Ed Usset’s perspective, being successful in grain marketing, year in and year out, is pretty simple — make a plan early and stick to it. But, he admits, while it’s simple, it’s just not easy.

Usset, a grain marketing economist at the University of Minnesota, offered insights and advice on selling corn and soybeans during the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit, held last month in Ankeny.

“No model for marketing is perfect,” Usset said. “But a few things I’ve learned over 30 years of doing this are start planning early, demand a premium if you’re selling...