A Roadmap to Better Decision Making

It was on this day back in 1962 that President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech telling the world that U.S. spy planes had discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba armed and pointed towards the United States, with capabilities of striking a number of major cities in the United States, including Washington, D.C. What is now referred to as the "Cuban ...
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Corn prices are up +20 cents from last weeks low as tensions with China appear to have eased and the USDA took a step towards trimming U.S. production. Bears however are quick to point out that an official deal with China is still off on the horizon and U.S. weather into early-October looks mostly cooperative. In other words, both of those ...
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I constantly hear my friends and others talking about how bad things have become. They talk about more shootings, more violent crimes, less religion, etc..., but these arguments are not backed by facts or figures. They are mostly just strong hunches and hearsay. Believe it or not, violent crimes are much lower than in years past. Faith is continual on ...
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Corn bulls are talking about a possible short squeeze in the front end of the market, the JUL19 contract, which is challenging a 5-year high. As I've been reporting, cash basis bids have been tightening in many locations and the market is getting wound tighter and tighter. I think there's a strong chance at some point during the next two ...
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I see at minimum -10 million unplanted corn acres and perhaps much more. I also have a very hard time fully grasping potential yield loss on all of the re-plant and late-planted acres. Recently on the June WASDE, the U.S. planted acreage estimate was lowered by -3 million to 89.8 million. The U.S. average yield estimate was more dramatically reduced, ...
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Writing this report and sharing my thoughts has allowed my wife and I to meet some amazing families across our great nation. This past year has perhaps been the toughest we remember. We have sent many plants, trees, cards of sorrow and prayers to many families. We've truly become friends with many of our readers. Unfortunately, with the good news ...
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I was at a business conference in Arizona this past week and we talked a lot about "perspective". In fact, one of the speakers told her story about how she has enjoyed wild success by simply trying to deliver one thing..."happiness". Her bars and restaurants have no menu's as she tries to create an atmosphere where the clients must interact ...
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I wanted to take just a quick moment and talk about "Memorial Day." I know I might be preaching to the choir, but many people fail to realize that Memorial Day was originally set aside to exclusively honor the fallen soldiers of our great nation. In fact, it was first observed on May 30th, 1868, when flowers were placed on ...
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Dan Gilbert, age 57, is perhaps best known as the billionaire owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, but what many people don't recognize are his humble beginnings and simple philosophical keys to success. Gilbert was born in Detroit, Michigan, attended Southfield-Lathrup High School, earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. While in college he obtained his real estate agent’s ...
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We've been having a lot of talk inside our office as of late about leaders and followers. I've been extremely lucky to have many great mentors and leaders in my life, both at younger age and during my professional career. Interestingly, all of the most successful people I've come in contact with during my life seem to have very similar ...
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