Mastering the Grain Markets: How Profits Are Really Made

For someone whose only role in the grain world is trading futures contracts, this book provided a wealth of educational material to better understand this market. Unlike trading stock index futures where there's 24/7 news and information coverage, the underlying factors surrounding grain futures have always been a mystery. If you're looking for a trading system, or money making formula on corn or soybeans it's not here. However, if you've ever wondered why soybean futures are more volatile than wheat, then this book does a great job explaining that phenomenon. As a trader, you'll find a few books out there on commodity spreads and even fewer on option plays. Those books will make much more sense after reading this book. The other comment I'd like to make is the good job the author and editor made addressing spelling and grammar. So many non-fiction books these days are filled with errors! Not this book. As well, the author mixed in some folksy story lines with hypothetical characters to help put some dry topics into a more colorful context. For the most part these were pretty good, however sometimes these could have been a bit more concise. Overall I was quite pleased with this book, and would recommend wholeheartedly.

To get the kindle bits out of the way: quite a few lines in this book were randomly converted to a tiny font for some reason. I can read it. People with bad eyes won't be able to. In any case, it shouldn't look like this; I'm pretty sure the hardcover doesn't. The book itself is irreplaceable. To my knowledge, no other book covers the grains market from growing the stuff to the futures market. Various basis trades done by farmers and grain elevators are described. The biology of growing grains is described. The motivation of all market participants is described. Some of the major players are described. This book is wonderful; I wish something like it existed for all the futures markets. It's not going to give you the latest Andy Lo approved econometric models for the forward curve; this book is meant to be used by practitioners, hedgers and speculators at all levels of sophistication. It's the real nuts and bolts of the grain trade.

This was both informative about grain marketing principles and on better understanding the overall workings of the markets. The writing style was excellent in that what could be a relatively technical, boring subject was presented in an enjoyable, fun read. i would definitely recommend this book to any producer who wants to better understand what makes the markets work, and how one might best avail of the opportunities presented to sell grain via futures, options, etc..

I grew up in a city and live in one now. I've traded grains from Commitment of Trader's data and technical analysis. Elaine's book opened up more of this key industry than I could've imagined. Her first hand experience in farming and merchandising is evident throughout and her authorship is conversational and approachable. She makes a potentially complex issue easy to consume. I did not realize until I was done she has a self study quiz at the end - make use of that valuable resource as you read each chapter.

If you want to read this book to help you day trade in Ag Futures or find some detail on Technical Analysis, better find those information in another book. This book shows (actually teaches) you about while Ag Market operation. It’s main focus is on the physical side of Ag Market but it also explain (at a introductory to mid-level) about Financial Ag Market, including Futures and Options. The author really knows what she’s talking about as she dive deep on the whole cycle of Ag Market: planning, preparing soil and equipments, sowing, monitoring/adjust, and harvesting. This book also shows not only farmer’s view but also the other participants view, like elevators, processors, and even end users. It is difficult to choose a best part of the book but I think I can pick the month-by-month explanation of what is happening for each of main Ag products: corn, soybeans, and wheat. I could not recommend this book more. It broadened my view about Ag Market in a way that I never dreamed of.

The subject matter has been constructed logically and efficiently. This book could also titled A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO THE AMERICAN GRAIN MARKET. But if you want to master the grain market in order to earn big money you will have to go way beyond this book. In movies and novels they portray farming in a very romantic light. Nothing could be further from the truth. You put in long hours and the work is never ending and back breaking. It is also a very risky profession what with crop failure. The main winners in agriculture are the traders, moneylenders, financial institutions, seed companies, value added processors, warehouses etc.

Outstanding! An interesting and informative "Course" that should be the premise of anyone interested in Futures of any type. It comfortably reads as if Warren Buffet met Lois L'AMour with a slight penchant of polite brashness borne of true grit and experience.

This book is a really good source for starters in the grain industry, it perfectly covers the broad and complex subject in plain language to make it an enjoyable and interesting reading. Plus, it gives good tips to make an analysis yourself.

If you want to trade grain, this is not the book. It covers everything and nothing in the end... I think it can be useful for farmers. Also, the use of "she" instead of "he" is really awkward when one speaks about an unknown person. I was thinking, who is Elaine talking about?? It was quite fun when she was talking about an female African farmer as a usual fact. So far from reality. It's not the first time I'm seeing this use of vocabulary. Anyway, if like me, you bought this book and you are familiar with finance, go directly to chapter 6, "Making and Using Grain", the only interesting chapter.

Covers too many topics, while not being able to explain any in sufficient detail. Nonetheless, there are some interesting facts, like elevator blending a good quality grains with lower quality grains to get a ... good quality grain. Worth mentioning that almost half of the book describes farmers' hard life and their emotional rollercoaster throughout the season.

Great Resource - A holistic approach to understand the ag grains markets...

worth reading

Elaine give a great insight in the grain market. As an active market participant in the grain and oilseed futures and options market without any farming background you get a really good information on the behavior and thinking of the so called commercial players in the market. In case you do not know a farmer, elevator or processor of grains, this is a the best help.