Episode 193 - The 3 BIG Mistakes Grain Growers Are Making And What It’s Costing, with Market Check Leaders, Brett Stevenson & Nick Crundall

There’s an old saying that uncertainty creates opportunity. 

But if you're a grain grower right now, uncertainty can also create confusion, hesitation, and some pretty costly decisions. 

Over the past few years, we've seen massive swings in commodity prices, input costs, weather patterns, and global politics. For many farm businesses, it feels like the rules keep changing. One minute we're talking about record production and oversupply. The next, global conflict, fund money, and drought concerns are driving volatility back into the market. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Market Check’s Managing Director and Founder, Brett Stevenson and CEO, Nick Crundall to unpack what has changed in global grain markets over the past nine months and what Australian grain growers need to be thinking about right now. 

More importantly, we explore the mindset and disciplines that separate consistently successful grain marketers from everyone else. 
We cover: 

• How global conflict, rising fertiliser costs, and speculative investment are influencing grain prices and market volatility. 

• Why global wheat stocks are tightening after record production years and what that means for the outlook for Australian growers. 

• Insights around hedging, forward selling and grain storage, including why many growers continue to leave money on the table despite producing excellent crops.  

• The common mistake of allowing tax planning and cash flow pressures to drive grain marketing decisions instead of following a clear strategy  

Nick shares some compelling analysis comparing hedging versus traditional forward selling and the long-term performance difference between growers who actively manage risk and those who don't. You can access Market Check's analysis here. 

This conversation also reinforces themes I explored with Jeff McDonald around financial clarity, proactive planning, and leading your business with confidence rather than reacting to circumstances. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I'd encourage you to do so here. 

Nick and Brett, thank you both for your time, your honesty, and your willingness to share what you've learned over many years working alongside growers. 

Here's to a great season ahead.

Sincerely, 
Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team. 

P.S. Brett and Nick were clear - the growers who consistently achieve better outcomes aren't necessarily the ones with the best forecasts, they're the ones with a plan and the discipline to follow it. That's a theme we'll continue exploring at TOP Producers as we help farm owners prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Six workshops have already sold out. Secure your spot before this one does too.