What the Futures!

Ryan Denis
  • 4.9 (34)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Do you ever have a moment on the farm, where you look around and wonder what the ... is going on? Dive into the market factors impacting Western Canadian agriculture every week with Ryan Denis. With over a decade of experience advising farmers on crop and business decisions, Ryan will tackle the tough selling and buying decisions that each farm faces. This is the podcast for farmers in Western Canada!

  1. 2D AGO

    Cattle Markets at All-Time Highs & Tractor Cab Math

    Episode 121 of the What the Futures Podcast features Ryan Copithorne (Cows in Control) on cattle markets sitting at all-time highs, including why pricing is strong, what bearish risks to watch, and practical risk management ideas like forward selling, livestock price insurance, and hedging, plus details on his June 18 event in Madden, Alberta. Ryan also discusses farm community challenges, flooding and road washouts delaying seeding on the Denis farm, and emphasizes “tractor cab math” to compare today’s grain prices to budgets and lock in margins. Tyler Yaremchuk (Nation Network) joins to recap the NHL playoffs, discuss Oilers roster needs, and react to the draft lottery chaos with the Maple Leafs landing the No. 1 pick. The episode closes with “eating your veggies” marketing tips and a song pick for the planting playlist. 00:00 Welcome and lineup 01:06 UPL Wave and subscribe 01:58 Hat contest and crisis line 04:31 Heavy weeks and community 12:08 Cattle markets with Ryan 32:42 Tractor cab math setup 38:21 Oilers Season Letdown 55:06 Eating Your Veggies Risk Plan 58:46 Planting Playlist And Wrap

    1h 1m

  2. 4D AGO ·  BONUS

    Seasonals, Wheat/Canola Pricing Windows & Planting Progress (w/ Chuck Penner)

    The host recaps morning market moves (canola steady; wheat, soybeans, and corn lower; bean oil strong; CAD ~73.5; WTI down) and urges diesel price discovery due to wide quote variance, then welcomes Chuck Penner of Left Field Commodities to discuss what’s driving markets, seasonal patterns, and crop marketing timing. Penner says many crops are still following seasonals despite record production, warning wheat/canola and other major crops often top within the next few weeks and tend to weaken into summer, so growers shouldn’t assume rallies will continue. They review USDA crop progress and ratings, prairie seeding disruptions from excess moisture, shifting Western Canadian seeding intentions, risks in barley tied to Chinese demand, and red lentil seasonals alongside El Niño considerations in India. Penner notes post-harvest rallies often peak around November and directs viewers to leftfieldcr.com for a 30-day trial. 00:00 Market Week Kickoff 00:44 Morning Futures Snapshot 01:35 Diesel Price Discovery 01:59 Viewer Questions Preview 02:38 Headlines War and Crops 03:13 USDA Crop Progress Breakdown 04:31 Prairie Planting and Fertilizer 05:19 Chuck Joins and Seasonals 06:13 Seasonal Peaks and Timing 08:05 Supercycle Talk and Wheat Bull Case 10:25 Barley Demand Risks 11:45 Seeding Intentions Shifting 12:53 Prairie Conditions and Delays 14:14 New Crop Selling Strategy 17:47 Wheat Selling Window 19:49 Lentils Seasonals and El Nino 22:23 Wrap Up and Next Episode

    23 min

  3. MAY 1

    2026 Crop Market Outlook: Canola Blow-Off Tops, Fertilizer Wildcards & Selling Strategies

    On a holiday week, Ryan shares a condensed market outlook for Western Canadian farmers heading into planting 2026, covering key themes and practical strategy. He discusses how “blow-off tops” in markets like canola and wheat often mark difficult levels to trade above, and why he’s cautious short-term on canola while still expecting multiple selling chances. He outlines three marketing “baskets” (patience for specialty crops like peas/lentils and malt barley; opportunistic for wheat and feed barley; forgiving for canola), notes heavy 2025 global supplies and specialty-crop carryover, and flags major wildcards including Middle East conflict impacts on fertilizer availability, higher energy/freight costs, US drought and frost risks, biofuel policy clarity, and recession talk tied to crude spikes. He also reviews tools like no-price-established contracts, bear put spreads, reownership, futures-first, and contract insurance. 00:32 Intro 01:08 Holiday Outlook Setup 02:37 Family Story and Updates 05:26 Market Themes Overview 06:55 Three Crop Baskets 10:47 Supply and Carryover Reality 13:34 Margins and Market Mood 14:53 Blow Off Top Deep Dive 19:15 Iran War and Fertilizer Risk 22:57 Freight Weather and Biofuels 26:11 Recession and Chart Patterns 28:44 Crop Rankings for 2026 31:12 Marketing Strategies Toolkit 35:49 What Worked and Wrap Up

    40 min
  4. What Top 2% Farms Do Differently | Guest Evan Shout

    APR 24

    What Top 2% Farms Do Differently | Guest Evan Shout

    What separates the top 2% of farms from everyone else? In this episode, Ryan Denis talks with Evan Shout about crop marketing, farm financials, cash flow, diversification, and the management decisions that actually move the needle. If you farm in Western Canada, this one is packed with real perspective. Guest: Evan Shout of Maverick Ag, Farmer Coach, and The Truth About Ag. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 03:31 Meet Evan Shout 04:47 How farmers react when markets get volatile 09:54 The first big farm coaching aha moments 12:10 Why Farmer Coach exists 14:32 What Maverick Ag actually helps farms with 17:48 Ryan’s crop marketing story 19:39 Why future-focused farms think differently 22:54 The top 20% vs the top 2% 27:31 Why crop marketing is still underused 29:51 Cost of production, cash flow, and selling strategy 38:08 Family, advocacy, and why Evan speaks openly 40:12 Why this conversation needs a part two

    42 min

  5. APR 17

    Super El Niño, Spring Prairie Weather and Diesel Buying Strategy | Guest: Lorelei Gress

    Episode 118 of the What the Futures Podcast features meteorologist Bret Walts (BAM Weather) discussing the developing strong-to-potential “Super El Niño,” its definition, and likely impacts on U.S. and Canadian moisture patterns, including continued Kansas winter wheat dryness with a possible pattern change toward more rain later in April/May and a warmer, generally favorable late-April/May outlook for Saskatchewan and Alberta planting. Ryan also shares crop market notes, highlighting wheat strength tied to Kansas dryness, caution on barley and canola, and the importance of being comfortable with hedge and sales positions. The episode then turns to diesel with Lorelei Gress (Fuel Nexus), covering the temporary federal excise tax suspension (April 20–Sept. 7), how Fuel Nexus’ pre-purchase program and delivery works, pricing transparency, and an additional short-term discount promotion. 00:00 Episode Preview 04:37 Positive Moments And Vacation 08:30 Wheat And Canola Markets 11:45 Weather Talk With Bret 17:17 Prairie Spring Outlook 24:07 Weather Wrap And Marketing 27:05 Fuel Guest Introduction 30:12 What Fuel Nexus Does 39:06 Pre Purchase Discounts 46:00 Fuel Myths Busted 50:46 Locked In Price Promise 58:11 Eating Your Veggies 01:02:37 Final Wrap Up

    1h 4m

  6. APR 15 ·  BONUS

    Grain Markets Live: Canola, Wheat Weather Rally, Barley Bids Shift + War Premium & Input Costs

    The host delivers a live grain and energy market update, noting canola slightly higher near 719 on July/November, soybeans up, bean oil lower, KC wheat up about 11 cents on poor hard red winter wheat ratings (around 18% good-to-excellent), and WTI crude down sharply near $95 with the Canadian dollar around 72.97. Prairie cash highlights include a notable shift in Alberta feed barley bids becoming competitive again in the Edmonton region, Lethbridge fall feed barley around 6.30–6.40/bu, malt and feed barley offers in Saskatchewan, old-crop yellow peas at 8.50–9.00/bu, new-crop flax near 16.50, and new-crop green peas around 9.50–10.00. Input prices discussed include NH3 near $1,600/ton in Alberta, urea near $1,300/ton, and diesel about $1.42–$1.44/L plus GST. Headlines include a U.S. naval blockade impacting Iranian imports, improving early Russian winter crop conditions, minor U.S. Corn Belt planting delays, and Brazil’s soybean harvest nearing completion. In discussion with Quintin, they cover chart concerns, managed-money positioning as an alarm bell in veg oils, limited war premium beyond canola, re-owning pre-sold canola on pullbacks, crude oil call-spread hedges, and frustrations in oats where futures gains have not translated to cash prices. 00:00 Live Market Snapshot 00:55 Prairie Grain Highlights 03:13 Input Costs Update 04:00 Geopolitics And Wheat News 05:52 Wheat Market Outlook 07:45 War Premium And Canola 11:26 Re Owning Sold Canola 13:11 Hedging With Crude Options 14:35 Positioning Alarm Bells 19:58 Wrap Up And Next Shows

    21 min

  7. APR 10

    Markets Tank on Ceasefire News: Crop Price Reality Check, Updated Crop Rankings & My Farm Meeting Agenda

    In episode 117 of the What the Futures Podcast (recorded April 8), Ryan covers a sharp midweek market drop and questions whether a Middle East ceasefire will matter for crop prices, noting markets were already cracking. He compares pre-war and current futures levels, with canola holding gains best while corn and soybeans have erased them, and suggests selling and re-owning risk on paper versus trusting a lasting ceasefire. Ryan updates his crop rankings after raising his fertilizer budget about $40/acre, yet makes minimal price assumption changes (max 3%), with canola still top for margin on his farm, maple peas and flax next, and many cereals and pulses underwater. He discusses 2026 marketing “baskets” (patience, opportunistic, forgiving), shares strategy reminders to review recent hedges and sales, and outlines a detailed farmer meeting agenda covering wins/losses, contracts, hedges, market outlook, cash flow, workflow, future crop plans, and inputs. 00:00 Markets Tank This Week 00:28 Podcast Intro 04:08 Don’t React On Down Days 05:37 Tooth Fairy Break 13:14 Crop Rankings And Fertilizer 24:00 Hat Design Contest 30:48 Meeting Agenda Basics 38:43 Inputs Fuel Logistics 42:02 Wrap Up Veggies Checklist 44:57 Final Sign Off

    46 min

  8. APR 8 ·  BONUS

    Markets Look Bullish… But Something’s Off

    Grain markets look bullish right now… but something isn’t adding up. In today’s Cuppa Coffee, we break down why oil is driving markets higher, yet wheat, canola, and other crops aren’t reacting the way they should. What you’ll learn: - Why this rally feels uneasy - The impact of oil prices on grain markets - What a “blow-off top” means for canola - Why wheat isn’t reacting to bullish news - The real risk behind Middle East headlines - Fertilizer and oil price implications - What farmers should be watching right now Featuring: Trent Klarenbach https://www.klarenbachresearch.ca Subscribe for weekly market breakdowns: https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefutures #GrainMarkets #Canola #Farming Listen to the show on the go. https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz7OvO7P0WDW8mAx25L1y?si=bd51356530834599 https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-the-futures/id1715185428 ‍ Follow on Instagram and X for more market insights. https://www.instagram.com/whatthefuturespod/ https://x.com/wtfuturespod Email Ryan: ryan@whatthefuturespodcast.ca What the Futures Podcast Website: https://www. whatthefuturespodcast.ca Thanks to our Sponsors John Deere https://operationscenter.deere.com/ UPL https://www.uplcorp.com/ BrettYoung https://brettyoung.ca/

    21 min
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4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Do you ever have a moment on the farm, where you look around and wonder what the ... is going on? Dive into the market factors impacting Western Canadian agriculture every week with Ryan Denis. With over a decade of experience advising farmers on crop and business decisions, Ryan will tackle the tough selling and buying decisions that each farm faces. This is the podcast for farmers in Western Canada!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Denis
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    What the Futures!

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