Perfecting the Grain Selfie

By April 8, 2020Blog

We all know the old saying a picture is worth a thousand words. In the past few years showing pictures of your grain to buyers has become even more popular and a great marketing tool to get the best price. This allows buyers to get a clear representation of your grain before they receive a sample or the first load of grain.

But, did you know that sometimes that picture can make or break your grain marketing experience. We have seen it here before where a buyer requests a photo and they get a poor-quality photo that is hard to make out that leads the buyer to not giving a great bid or no bid at all just because this photo left their grain not looking it’s best.

We’re not saying that you need to invest in a high-end camera and professional lighting to get the perfect photo but here are some tips and tricks that will allow you to show your grain to it’s full potential.

1. Lighting and Clarity

Great Lighting is key it allows you to get the representation of the color on of your grain. Taking the picture in a well-lit area will allow you to get the best lighting. This can be done outside when it is bright out or in a well-lit room. You also want to make sure your photo is not blurry, and that there are no shadows in your photos. The first photo is very dark whereas the second is bright and helps show the color of the grain more easily.

2. Background

For the background the preference for this is a white piece of paper that will help reflect the light and will make your grain stand out. If you don’t have time to put it on a white background sometime taking the photo in a white small bucket also does the trick. You want to take the picture on a background that allows your grain to stand out and be the center of the picture. In the first picture the background is distracting and does not help enhance the grain. The Second photo allows the grain to be the focus.

3. Angle and Close up

The last quick tip in perfecting the perfect picture of your grain is the angle and getting a close of the grain. But not close. Think of it as when your wife asks you to take her picture. She wants it done on her good angle and she doesn’t want it to close but she doesn’t want it to far away she wants it just right. The same is for grain pictures you want it just right to allow for the buyers to get the best representation. In photo one the picture is to close that it almost looks grainy. Remember buyers can always zoom in if they need to.

If you follow these small tips this will help you improve your chance of getting more interest in your grain and possibly help you trade your grain a lot faster. We see grain pictures especially important for oats and heated and green canola.

Because Farming is Forever
Erin Harakal, Senior Trader, Red Deer North- Vegreville West


Recent News

Pandemic causes french fry demand to collapse

Increased interest and demand from international buyers for Canadian lentils. Harvest issues with India’s pulse crops is likely the catalyst for the recent run-up in cash lentil bids. Large green lentils seem to have the strongest bid currently between $0.28/lb picked up and $0.22-0.23/lb for fall contracts. Red lentils have been increasing over the past week to $0.225/lb – 0.23/lb picked up depending on location. Green lentils (Laird and Eston bids) have seen an increase of 2 to 3 cents/lb recently. New crop contracts are coming to light. We’re hearing new crop red contracts as high as 22 cents/lb at the bin with an AOG clause.

Klassen: Feeder market lacks buying interest

Give us a call and we can firm up bids specific to your area 1-888-969-5552.


Going Paperless

As a people driven technology company we are constantly taking steps forward. At this time we are moving to paperless invoicing. Just like you receive your brokernotes from Agfinity, you will now receive your invoices by your chosen communication method of either email or fax. Don’t worry, if you don’t have access to either option we can still mail a hard copy to you.

As always, we offer the payment options of credit card payments over the telephone and etransfers, as well as cheques in the mail, to make paying your bills easy and efficient.

Please give us a call with questions regarding bill or payments at 1-888-969-5552.


Recent Trades

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16332)
44.00 MT
FOB Forestburg, AB
Apr 07 – May 31
$210.19/MT or $4.58/BU (Gross)
$206.69/MT or $4.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 08, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16334)
88.00 MT
FOB Stony Plain, AB
Apr 07 – Apr 30
$204.00/MT or $4.44/BU (Gross)
$200.50/MT or $4.37/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 08, 2020

CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 16331)
44.00 MT
FOB Lacombe, AB
Apr 07 – Apr 30
$214.00/MT or $5.82/BU (Gross)
$210.50/MT or $5.73/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 07, 2020

Heated Canola (ID: 16330)
44.00 MT
FOB Onoway, AB
Apr 07 – Apr 30
$237.00/MT or $5.38/BU (Gross)
$231.50/MT or $5.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 07, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16333)
44.00 MT
FOB Olds, AB
Apr 07 – Apr 10
$219.37/MT or $4.78/BU (Gross)
$215.87/MT or $4.70/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 07, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16318)
132.00 MT
FOB Bashaw, AB
Apr 06 – May 09
$214.78/MT or $4.68/BU (Gross)
$211.28/MT or $4.60/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 07, 2020

OS CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 16316)
70.00 MT
FOB Westlock, AB
Apr 03 – Apr 30
$215.00/MT or $5.85/BU (Gross)
$211.50/MT or $5.76/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 06, 2020

OS Heated HRS Wheat (ID: 16321)
264.00 MT
FOB Spirit River, AB
Apr 06 – Apr 17
$172.00/MT or $4.68/BU (Gross)
$168.50/MT or $4.59/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 06, 2020

#2CW Oats (ID: 16320)
88.00 MT
FOB Westlock, AB
Apr 03 – Apr 15
$223.70/MT or $3.45/BU (Gross)
$220.20/MT or $3.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 06, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16313)
44.00 MT
FOB St. Paul, AB
Apr 03 – Apr 17
$196.41/MT or $4.28/BU (Gross)
$192.91/MT or $4.20/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16314)
132.00 MT
FOB Rosalind, AB
Apr 03 – Apr 30
$210.19/MT or $4.58/BU (Gross)
$206.69/MT or $4.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 16309)
44.00 MT
FOB Boyle, AB
Apr 20 – May 15
$212.03/MT or $5.77/BU (Gross)
$208.53/MT or $5.68/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16307)
132.00 MT
FOB La Crete, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 17
$168.10/MT or $3.66/BU (Gross)
$164.60/MT or $3.58/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 16217)
88.00 MT
FOB Thorsby, AB
Sep 01 – Sep 30
$195.00/MT or $4.25/BU (Gross)
$191.50/MT or $4.17/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 16310)
88.00 MT
FOB Lacombe, AB
Apr 03 – Apr 30
$212.94/MT or $5.80/BU (Gross)
$209.44/MT or $5.70/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 03, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16306)
220.00 MT
FOB Hythe, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$187.22/MT or $4.08/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $4.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 16303)
176.00 MT
FOB Boyle, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$213.69/MT or $5.82/BU (Gross)
$210.19/MT or $5.72/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

#2 Yellow Peas (ID: 16305)
132.00 MT
FOB La Crete, AB
May 01 – Jun 30
$244.58/MT or $6.66/BU (Gross)
$241.08/MT or $6.56/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16252)
132.00 MT
FOB St. Paul, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$199.00/MT or $4.33/BU (Gross)
$195.50/MT or $4.26/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16299)
440.00 MT
FOB Strome, AB
May 01 – May 31
$214.78/MT or $4.68/BU (Gross)
$211.28/MT or $4.60/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16304)
88.00 MT
FOB La Crete, AB
May 01 – May 31
$175.00/MT or $3.81/BU (Gross)
$171.50/MT or $3.73/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

Heated Canola (ID: 16280)
44.00 MT
FOB Drumheller, AB
Apr 02 – Apr 10
$275.00/MT or $6.24/BU (Gross)
$269.50/MT or $6.11/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16300)
30.00 MT
FOB High Prairie, AB
Apr 02 – Apr 30
$187.22/MT or $4.08/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $4.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 02, 2020

#2CW Oats (ID: 16289)
44.00 MT
FOB Redwater, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$207.75/MT or $3.20/BU (Gross)
$204.25/MT or $3.15/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 16296)
88.00 MT
FOB Willingdon, AB
Sep 01 – Oct 31
$187.22/MT or $4.08/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $4.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

NC CW Feed Barley (ID: 16226)
88.00 MT
FOB Willingdon, AB
Sep 01 – Oct 31
$187.22/MT or $4.08/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $4.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16251)
176.00 MT
FOB Joffre, AB
Apr 01 – May 31
$218.50/MT or $4.76/BU (Gross)
$215.00/MT or $4.68/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

#3 CW Canola (ID: 16275)
44.00 MT
FOB Bezanson, AB
Jun 01 – Jul 31
$314.99/MT or $7.14/BU (Gross)
$311.49/MT or $7.06/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16291)
440.00 MT
FOB Carstairs, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$218.00/MT or $4.75/BU (Gross)
$214.50/MT or $4.67/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16286)
44.00 MT
FOB Stettler, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 18
$212.48/MT or $4.63/BU (Gross)
$208.98/MT or $4.55/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

OS #2CW Oats (ID: 16267)
88.00 MT
FOB Drayton Valley, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 30
$194.53/MT or $3.00/BU (Gross)
$191.03/MT or $2.95/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 16265)
88.00 MT
FOB Consort, AB
Apr 01 – Jun 30
$214.78/MT or $5.85/BU (Gross)
$211.28/MT or $5.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 16288)
616.00 MT
FOB Lacombe, AB
Apr 01 – Apr 15
$212.48/MT or $4.63/BU (Gross)
$208.98/MT or $4.55/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020

CW Feed Barley (ID: 16287)
44.00 MT
FOB Calgary, AB
Apr 01 – Jun 30
$221.67/MT or $4.83/BU (Gross)
$218.17/MT or $4.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Apr 01, 2020