The Ag View Pitch

agviewsolutions.comIn this week’s Ag View Pitch, Chris Barron and Jeff Fichtelman break down mid-October market dynamics during peak harvest. They discuss improving basis levels, stronger-than-expected yields across the Midwest, and how on-farm storage is influencing grain movement and price behavior. The conversation covers tariff tensions, potential aid payments, and how inflation—not just trade policy—continues to pressure farm profitability. Jeff shares strategies for managing cash flow through year-end, considerations for early 2026 sales, and why discipline and planning are critical in today’s markets. The episode closes with a discussion on maintaining a balanced mindset and using tight margins as an opportunity to build stronger business habits and long-term success.

Register Here:agviewsolutions.comJoin Chris Barron and Shay Foulk for the 5th Annual Ag View Executive Business Conference, January 21–24, 2026, at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort. This two-day event features 14 keynote speakers delivering actionable insights to help you improve your operation’s profitability and leadership. Expect engaging sessions from experts like Dick Wittman, Paul Neiffer, Vance Crowe, Scott Klososky, Jason Mauck, Matt Bennett, Brian Splitt, Ryan Moe, Pete Meyer, and more. Attendees will experience unmatched networking opportunities, hands-on discussions, and take-home strategies to elevate their ag business. Bring your family, enjoy the Arizona sunshine, and be part of the best ag business conference in the country.

Originally aired: 9/9/23This is a special 19 minutes episode being shared on The Ag View Pitch platform. Chris and Alissa both share their experience of working together to understand each other's personal and professional goals in their business and personal lives.We hope this is an excellent example for you as the listener to do this exercise in your own, lives to help improve communication, family life, and business life.We always remind people of the importance of spending time working “on” your business and not just “in” your business. The same logic applies to your relationships especially with your spouse. The idea here is not only to work “in” your relationship with your spouse but also to take time to work “on” your relationship with your spouse. This is a great episode to listen together with your spouse as a team and then take action!19 Minutes Sign-Up: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/19-minutes/subscribe

In this week’s AgView Pitch, Chris talks with Iowa State’s Chad Hart about the key drivers shaping the ag economy. They dig into tariffs, Chinese demand shifts, and what short-term payments might mean for farmers’ cash flow. Chad shares his perspective on disappointing corn yields from rust pressure, the soybean export window, and how the USDA shutdown leaves markets “flying blind.” The conversation also covers basis strategies, storage decisions, and what producers should weigh heading into 2026 crop rotations with high fertilizer costs. Packed with market insights, this episode is a timely guide for farmers navigating harvest, marketing, and risk management decisions

In this episode of the Ag View Pitch, Chris talks with Joe Vaclavik about the early October market outlook and surprising harvest results. From disappointing early corn yields and stellar soybean performance to the impact of rust pressure and fungicide decisions, they unpack what’s really happening in the field. Joe shares insights on seasonal price trends, crop insurance price-setting, and the potential ripple effects of government aid and trade headlines. With harvest in full swing, this episode offers timely strategies for farmers navigating cash sales, basis challenges, and 2026 marketing opportunities. Tune in for a candid, data-driven conversation that blends boots-on-the-ground observations with big-picture market analysis.

Originally Aired May 22, 2024Andy “Caygeon” Junkin visits with Chris in this episode around the topic of family succession. Andy explains some of the key challenges with family Farm succession. In this conversation, Caygeon and Chris delve into key challenges that derail many Family Farm operations due to poor communication, lack of empathy, trust issues, narcissism, and most importantly, just being plain stubborn! Caygeon says, “that when you point the finger at someone, remember that there are always three fingers pointing back at you!” Even if you currently have a succession plan, this is a must listen podcast to make sure your farm operation is successful for generations to come. We will be following up with future episodes, both on The Ag View Pitch and 19 Minutes. If you would like a free audio, copy of Andy “Caygeon” Junkin’s book STUBBORN you can listen to it here: www.stubborn.farm/stubbornbook

In this week’s Ag View Pitch, Chris talks with Jarod Creed about the latest market signals as harvest ramps up. Early results show weaker corn yields but stronger-than-expected soybeans. They cover:Fungicide’s big role in yield swings (30–50 bu. advantage)USDA adjustments and what to expect in OctoberCorn demand vs. river shipping concernsSoybean outlook with or without Chinese demandRisk management strategies during October price discoveryBasis contracts, cash flow, and lender conversationsStay safe this harvest season and get insight into what could move markets in the weeks ahead.

Originally Aired July 20th, 2022Chris has another thought-provoking conversation in this "Dad's Wisdom" episode with Roger Toquam, a farmer from Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

In this episode of the Ag View Pitch, Chris sits down with Jarod Creed and Zane Erickson to dive into the role of grain baggers in today’s harvest. They cover the marketing advantages of storage, cost comparisons with commercial bins, equipment efficiency, and practical considerations like labor, moisture, and wildlife management.

https://agviewsolutions.com/Jeremy Doetch and Steve Georgy, President of Allendale Inc discuss WASDE report, crop conditions, market conditions for grains, carry costs, interest rates, and strategic marketing decisions for producers.

Visit www.harvestguardsolutions.com to fill out the onboarding form. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Email shay@agviewsolutions.com or text (309)264-3090

Originally Aired: February 15, 2020Ron's family homesteaded their farm in Canada in 1907, and the family still farms there today. Sam and Chet, Ron's boys, run the majority of the farm operations, but Ron is still very actively involved in the operation. We talk history on the farm, continuous learning, and taking lessons from folks outside of the family. Ron and his family are humble, hard workers, and truly have built a phenomenal farming operation to be proud. Be sure to tune in to this episode in our Dad's Wisdom series!

The Ag View Team discusses what they're seeing agronomically, storage and cash flow considerations, business decision-making, Profit Manager outreach, conference registration opening this week, and more on the SEP edition.

Ben with NTS Tire Supply talks all things you're NOT thinking about when it comes to tires - inflation, flexion, and variable air pressure systems. This podcast should be rewatched before every major season of field work! Check out www.ntstiresupply.com and give their team a call to talk through improving ROI in your farm operation

In this episode of the AgView Pitch, Chris talks with Matt Todd from Grain Handler about the essential do’s and don’ts of running grain dryers. They cover preseason checks, temperature management, fuel efficiency, grain quality, unloading systems, hot vs. cool dumping, dryer sizing, and the used equipment market. Whether you’re prepping for harvest or considering an upgrade, this conversation offers practical insights to keep your dryer running smoothly and your grain in top condition.

Shay talks with Dr. Chad Hart of Iowa State and Lewis Stearns with Progressive Crop Solutions on current fertilizer decisions, budgeting, global impacts on fertilizer, and what to actually do about it

Shay and Garret talk about 2025 changes in the marketplace in the last year, and what to think about as harvest starts!

What you need to know as a current user (refresher) and back to the basics for those who are new to the Profit Manager system. Shay and Chris discuss the business decision-making capabilities of Profit Manager, a system that Chris developed and the Ag View Solutions team has improved for over 27 years now. This simple yet comprehensive tool helps you dial in our cost of production to the penny, know your exact machinery costs, and sets you up for good input, marketing, and real big-time farm decisions that impact your business every day. Profit Manager is a tool that hundreds of farm operations across the United States and Canada are using to make key decisions. It is simple, allows you to tie in other workbooks and spreadsheets if you'd like, and offers a complete view of your business to help drive good decisions.Keys in this episode:1. Profit Management2. Cost of Production3. Knowing YOUR target margin4. Return to Management- what is it and how do we manage it?5. Effective equipment costing analysis6. Using Profit Manager and our Team for continued farm decisionsProfit Manager is a one-time purchase, that you own for life, with anytime access to Chris and Shay for service and support. No yearly subscriptions, no complicated data integrations or data collection, and no hidden fees or upgrade fees. To learn more and purchase your Profit Manager today, visit www.farmprofitmanager.com. You can also email shay@agviewsolutions.com to set up a 45 minute overview call to see if Profit Manager is a good fit for your farm operation.We look forward to working with you and bringing tremendous value to your farm operation and ag business for years to come!

In this week’s Market Outlook, Andy Hruby and Jeff Fichtelman discuss harvest timing, yield uncertainty, and the surprising strength of basis in parts of the Corn Belt. They highlight strategies for storage, cash flow planning, and negotiating pushes, as well as government programs and potential demand drivers like E15 and sustainable aviation fuel. The conversation also covers forward-looking decisions for 2026 acreage, cost-of-production awareness, and disciplined marketing in both corn and soybeans.

In this episode of the Ag View Pitch, we break down current market dynamics, demand trends, fund activity, and why planning ahead is crucial. Topics include strategies for managing basis, navigating market cycles, and building stronger relationships with buyers. Whether you’re undersold or looking to fine-tune your harvest strategy, this conversation offers timely insights to help you make better marketing decisions before the combine's roll.