Opportunities In High Value Specialty Crops

Growers in the Upper Midwest have opportunities to produce a wide range of identity preserved specialty grains that provide value-added premium income. Recent surveys of Midwest Shippers Association member companies have found significant premiums available to producers.

Premium ranges -- on the lower end 25 cents per bu. for higher grade #1 GM corn and beans to the producer; premiums of $1 to $2 to $3 above local cash prices for various non-GMO varieties of corn and soybeans; for certain specialty food grade soybeans for Asian markets, prices can range up to $2 to $3 above Chicago Board of Trade price levels under contract, for food grade natto soybeans, for example.

Organic crops provide the highest premiums, and of course require the most stringent handling and must be grown under more demanding conditions without the use of chemicals or artificial fertilizers. Prices for organic soybeans can range from $18 to as high as $30 per bu. from major MSA member companies handling certified organic crops.

Success in specialty grains is maximized by growing the right crop type for the area, and for the soil types of an individual farm. Farmers will have more success by-

Working closely with an established, experienced IP specialty grain processing and trading company;
Using tested, certified seed;
Using care in planting, harvesting and storing their crops to preserve IP integrity;
Using accredited certification agencies to assure customers of the identity preserved integrity of their crops;
Understanding and establishing production and marketing contracts that work both for the grower and processor.
Staying in close communication throughout the growing and marketing year.

The Midwest Shippers Association network is made up of many of the most experienced and knowledgeable specialty grains firms in the United States. Farmers interested in higher value specialty grains should research and contact MSA member companies to learn about opportunities for added income.

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