Every year, farmers come back to the same question: should I sell now, or wait it out? It sounds simple, but anyone who’s watched the markets knows it rarely is. Prices move fast, bin space fills up, and decisions about storage or pricing later can make a real difference when it comes to the bottom line. With so many factors in play, timing matters, along with having the ability to keep an eye on the market and make a move when it feels right.
Most farmers don’t want to rush grain marketing decisions. The market can change overnight, and there’s always something new influencing prices. Sometimes the best approach is to slow down, see how things shake out and give yourself a little breathing room before committing. Having a few options in place can take some of the pressure off and make those decisions feel a whole lot more manageable.
At Five Star Cooperative, we’ve laid out two main options to help you manage your grain after delivery: Storage and Price Later. Each option serves a different purpose and understanding how they work can help you choose what fits best with your operation, your risk tolerance and your marketing plan.
Price Later: Flexibility Without Immediate Sale
Best if: You want to continue to monitor the markets and wait for a potential pricing opportunity before selling.
How it works?
- 22-cent minimum charge through Dec. 31, 2025
- 5-cents per month through Sept. 18, 2026
- Sold at current market prices when you decide to price it
Why choose Price Later?
- Gives you time to watch the market and monitor price movement
- Offers flexibility if you believe the market may improve
- Helps manage space concerns without forcing an immediate sale
For farmers who like to watch the market and make pricing decisions based on trends, Price Later can provide breathing room while keeping options open.
Storage: Keep Ownership and Control
Best if: You want to hold onto your grain and choose exactly when and how it’s sold.
How it works?
- 22-cents per bushel for the first 90 days
- Then 0.0015-cent per bushel per day (about 6-cents per bushel per month after 90 days)
Why choose Storage?
- You keep ownership and can sell when it fits your plan
- You can sell when it aligns with your marketing plan
- Allows for forward contracting opportunities
Storage can be a strong option if you’re watching long-term price trends or planning sales around cash flow needs, tax considerations or future contracts.
What’s the Difference?
The key difference between Price Later and Storage lies in ownership and flexibility. With Price Later, the focus is on monitoring market prices before locking in a sale. In storage, the emphasis is on maintaining ownership while continuing to monitor price movements and timing opportunities.
Neither option is one-size-fits-all, and many producers use different strategies depending on the year, crop conditions and market outlook.
Choosing What’s Right for You
Before deciding, it helps to step back and ask a few questions:
- What’s my grain moisture?
- Do I want the option to forward contract?
- How long will I hold my grain?
- What matters most to me, flexibility or lower cost?
Taking time to monitor your operation’s needs, not just the market, can make a big difference in choosing the right path.
Not Sure Which Option Fits?
You don’t have to make the decision alone. Your Five Star Cooperative Grain Team is here to help walk through each option, explain the costs and help monitor market conditions so you can make the best call for your operation. Downloading Five Star Link to your phone also allows you 24/7 access to view contracts, scale tickets, balances and the ability to stay up to date on your grain marketing decisions. Furthering your ability to gain confidence and control when the markets are moving.
Grain marketing doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require attention. With the right tools, the right information, and a little monitoring along the way, you can choose the option that works best for you. Sometimes it’s not about finding the perfect answer, but about understanding your options and knowing what to watch for as conditions change.
