Physical Grain Trading: Core Concepts and Real-World Scenarios

by Chris DeLong, Andrew McKenzie, Thomas Meierotto

Overview

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of essential concepts and advanced strategies in the grain industry. Authored by professionals with decades of experience in grain trading, this book introduces core concepts such as hedging, basis trading, arbitrage, and counterparty risk, making it an essential read for novices. The topics covered include storage, futures trading mechanics, and the path of grain from farm to end-user.

Unlike other resources, this book goes beyond introductory concepts, addressing real-world scenarios and advanced strategies in detail. The methodology employed in crafting this guide combines practical experience with academic rigor, ensuring that readers gain actionable knowledge. The book covers a broad range of topics, and its impact is profound, bridging the gap between theory and practice and empowering market participants to make informed decisions. This book contributes significantly to both research and practice, offering a holistic understanding of the physical grain trade and its broader market implications. It is intended to be used primarily by early-career practitioners and as a comprehensive text for University commodity risk management courses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031839740
Publisher:	Springer Nature Switzerland
Publication date:	06/28/2025
Series:	Finance for Professionals
Pages:	305
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Christopher DeLong brings over a decade of experience in agriculture and finance at The DeLong Co., Inc., where he currently serves as President and Investment Committee Chair. With a passion for specialty grains and oilseeds, he has spearheaded innovative programs while actively contributing to industry development through board memberships, including the Federal Reserve Beige Book Advisory Board. Dr. DeLong's expertise extends to risk management, calendar spread management, and branding strategies, reflecting his commitment to driving growth and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Andy McKenzie is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas. He holds the Fryar Endowed Chair and is Associate Director of the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence. He is an internationally recognized expert in price risk management, futures and options markets, grain marketing and applied time series analysis. He was co-editor of the Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

Thomas Meierotto brings nearly 20 years of expertise in risk management at R.J. O’Brien, specializing in grain markets. His clients include grain elevators, ethanol plants, soybean processors, and farmers. Among Meierotto’s focuses are market intelligence, calendar spreads, market strategies, client relations and speaking. He actively participates in industry conferences and serves on the National Grain & Feed Association's Risk Management Committee.

Table of Contents

.- Introduction..- Value of Storage and Logistics..- Futures and Derivatives Markets..- Hedging..- Strategic Hedging Approaches for Grain and Oilseed Producers and End Users..- Basis Futures & Cash..- Market Curve..- Position Management..- Rolling Contracts..- Processing Margins..- Arbitrage..- String Trades..- Managing Counter-Party Risk..- Options Markets..- Mark-to-Market Accounting..- Key USDA and Other Reports..- Trading Biases..- Conclusion.