What the Futures!

Ryan Denis
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • 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

    Why Farmers Need to Become Better Negotiators | Vance Crowe Joins The Show

    What does better communication have to do with running a more profitable farm business? Quite a lot, actually. On this episode of What The Futures, Ryan Denis sits down with Vance Crowe, keynote speaker, communication expert and founder of Legacy Interviews, to discuss the importance of communication, negotiation and building stronger relationships in agriculture. Vance will be joining us as the opening keynote speaker at the Crop Marketing Made Cool Conference in Brandon, Manitoba, December 1–2, 2026. His presentation, "How Is Greater Than Why," will challenge farmers to think differently about how they communicate, negotiate and work with the people who have a direct impact on their farm businesses. Vance shares his fascinating career journey, including his experience working with Monsanto, where he helped facilitate difficult conversations around GMOs, pesticides and modern agriculture. Rather than relying on traditional corporate messaging, Vance explains why genuine conversations, asking better questions and being willing to listen can lead to much better outcomes. Ryan and Vance also discuss Legacy Interviews, a business that records people's life stories so future generations can understand their family history, the sacrifices made by previous generations and the legacy they've built. In this conversation, you'll hear about: - Why communication is one of the most important skills in business- How farmers can become better negotiators- The importance of listening and asking better questions- Vance Crowe's experience working with Monsanto and discussing GMOs- How to have difficult conversations about agriculture- Why authentic communication beats traditional corporate messaging- The five networked competencies: negotiation, introductions, storytelling, conversation, conflict resolution and presenting- How better communication can improve relationships with grain buyers and input suppliers- The importance of preserving farm family history through Legacy Interviews- What farmers can expect from Vance's keynote presentation at Crop Marketing Made Cool CROP MARKETING MADE COOL CONFERENCE – DECEMBER 1 & 2, 2026 Join us in Brandon, Manitoba, at the Keystone Centre for two days of crop marketing education, farm business strategies and conversations with some of the best minds in Western Canadian agriculture. Vance Crowe will kick off the conference with his keynote presentation, "How Is Greater Than Why," helping farmers develop the communication and negotiation skills that can make a real difference in their businesses. Don't miss the opportunity to sharpen your crop marketing and farm business skills ahead of the 2027 growing season. Subscribe to What The Futures for more conversations about grain marketing, Canadian agriculture, farm profitability and better farming decisions. 00:00 – Meet Vance Crowe: Communication and Farm Business01:14 – Vance Crowe Joins Crop Marketing Made Cool03:10 – Legacy Interviews: Preserving Family and Farm History05:27 – The Stories Behind Canadian Farming Families07:08 – Vance Crowe's Journey Into Communication08:05 – Working With Monsanto: GMOs, Agriculture and Public Perception09:26 – Why Authentic Conversations Matter More Than PR10:41 – Facing Tough Questions About Modern Agriculture11:43 – The Importance of Listening and Asking Better Questions13:06 – Why You Don't Always Need to Win an Argument15:15 – The Five Skills That Make Better Communicators16:36 – How Is Greater Than Why: Vance's Keynote Presentation18:05 – Better Communication for Farmers and Farm Businesses20:15 – What to Expect at Crop Marketing Made Cool22:52 – How Small Communication Changes Can Make a Big Difference23:58 – Crop Marketing Made Cool: Tickets and Early Bird Discounts #WhatTheFutures #CropMarketingMadeCool #VanceCrowe #FarmBusiness #Agriculture #GrainMarketing #FarmManagement #CanadianAgriculture 🎧 Listen to the show on the go. https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz7OvO7P0WDW8mAx25L1y?si=bd51356530834599https://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/

  2. Oct 24

    Episode 150! Canola Markets, Crop Marketing & What's Next for What the Futures.

    Episode 150 of What The Futures is here! To celebrate this milestone, Ryan Denis brings together four special guests for a look back at the journey so far, important conversations in Canadian agriculture, and what’s ahead for crop marketing. After three seasons and 150 episodes, What The Futures is changing its format for Season 4. The weekly show is wrapping up, with the podcast moving to a monthly live show as Ryan continues helping farmers make better crop marketing and farm management decisions. In this special episode, Ryan sits down with guests from across the agricultural industry to discuss canola markets, grain marketing strategies, biofuels, farm profitability, harvest challenges and the future of Canadian agriculture. Roger Chevreaux of Alberta Canola joins the conversation to explore the growing opportunity for canola-based biofuels, how canola oil can contribute to renewable fuel production, and why investment in Canada's biofuel industry could create new opportunities for farmers. The discussion also looks at the role of government policy, domestic demand and the importance of keeping Canadian agriculture competitive. Quinton Stamler of GL Capital joins Ryan to break down canola market movements, crop marketing decisions and the challenges farmers face when prices rally or pull back. They discuss managing risk, navigating physical grain contracts, and how producers can approach marketing decisions after harvest. Ryan also catches up with Blake Weiseth of Western Ag and shares a special conversation with his brother, bringing the episode back to the people, experiences and farming stories behind What The Futures. In this episode: - What’s next for What The Futures in Season 4- Celebrating 150 episodes of crop marketing conversations- Canola market trends, price rallies and marketing strategies- Alberta Canola and the future of canola-based biofuels- Renewable fuel demand and new opportunities for Canadian canola- Government policy, investment and Canada's biofuel industry- Grain marketing strategies and managing price risk- Physical grain contracts and farmer buyout clauses- Harvest challenges, farm decisions and lessons learned- The people and stories that have shaped What The Futures Whether you're a grain farmer, crop marketer or agricultural professional, this milestone episode offers market insight, industry perspectives and a look at what's next for the show. Thank you to everyone who has watched, listened, shared an episode and been part of the What The Futures community over the first 150 episodes. The weekly format may be ending, but the conversations continue. Subscribe to What The Futures for practical crop marketing discussions, grain market analysis and conversations focused on helping farmers make better farming decisions. 00:00 – Episode 150: The Future of What The Futures01:05 – Thank You to UPL and the What The Futures Community01:35 – Season 4 Announcement: A New Monthly Live Format02:25 – Looking Back at the First Episodes05:20 – Building What The Futures: Lessons From the Journey11:55 – Thank You to the Farmers and Ag Community14:00 – The Future of Crop Marketing Content22:16 – A Personal Moment From Ryan28:00 – Grain Marketing: Should Farmers Be Panicking?32:23 – Grain Prices, Malt Barley, Flax and Durum Opportunities34:44 – Alberta Canola: The Future of Canola-Based Biofuels40:47 – What Can Biofuels Mean for Farmers?46:54 – Canadian Biofuel Policy and Competing Globally53:00 – Canola Markets and Crop Marketing With Quinton Stamler01:14:02 – Crop Marketing Made Cool: Lessons for Farmers01:20:41 – Grain Contracts and Farmer Buyout Clauses01:25:49 – Catching Up With Blake Weisetrh and Farming Stories01:54:19 – Revisiting the First What The Futures Conversation

  3. Oct 20

    Canola Pull Back Warning: Guest Trent Klarenbach

    Can canola prices move higher, or is another pullback coming? And what should farmers be watching as they make crop marketing and input purchasing decisions heading into 2027? On Episode 149 of What The Futures, Ryan Denis welcomes back Trent Klarenbach of Klarenbach Research to break down the latest technical signals in the agricultural commodity markets. From canola and wheat to specialty crops, fertilizer prices, crude oil and interest rates, this conversation explores the short-term, medium-term and long-term market outlook farmers need to consider. Trent shares his technical analysis of the markets, explaining why the outlook can look very different depending on your timeframe. While longer-term opportunities remain on the radar, near-term price volatility and potential pullbacks mean farmers need to be thoughtful about their marketing decisions. Ryan and Trent also discuss how to approach selling canola while managing the marketing of grade-sensitive crops like durum and large green lentils. With harvest results varying across Western Canada, knowing when to generate cash flow, when to wait for better pricing opportunities, and how to manage risk is more important than ever. They also dig into the potential impact of geopolitical uncertainty, crude oil prices, rising interest rates and fertilizer costs on farm profitability heading into the 2027 crop year. In this episode, we cover: - Canola price forecasts and key technical levels to watch- Short-term versus long-term grain market outlooks- Potential price pullbacks and opportunities for a rally- Specialty crop marketing strategies for durum and lentils- Managing cash flow while waiting for better crop prices- How geopolitical tensions and crude oil could influence agricultural markets- Fertilizer prices, input purchasing decisions and farm risk management- Interest rates and the broader economic outlook- New market analysis tools from Clare Back Research Plus, Ryan shares an update on the upcoming Crop Marketing Made Cool Conference in Brandon, Manitoba, and what's ahead for What The Futures as the show approaches Episode 150. If you're a farmer looking to improve your grain marketing strategy, understand commodity market trends and make better selling decisions for 2027, this episode is for you. Connect with Trent Klarenbach Explore Clare Back Research for technical analysis, market charts and trading signals. Crop Marketing Made Cool Conference📍 Brandon, Manitoba📅 December 1–2, 2026Plan your 2027 crop marketing strategy and learn from farmers and industry experts. Subscribe to What The Futures for practical crop marketing conversations, grain market analysis and insights to help you make better farming decisions. 00:00 – Grain Market Outlook: Can Prices Move Higher Into 2027?01:57 – What’s Changing for What The Futures?06:33 – Trent Clare Returns for Episode 14908:49 – Crop Marketing Made Cool: Conference Update13:33 – Harvest Progress Across Western Canada14:50 – Are Grain Markets Turning More Bullish?15:56 – Canola and Wheat: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Price Outlook17:15 – Specialty Crop Prices and Marketing Opportunities18:28 – Selling Canola While Waiting on Durum and Lentils21:26 – Canola Price Forecast: Key Levels to Watch23:07 – Canola Technical Analysis and Potential Downside Risk24:38 – Crude Oil, Geopolitics and the Impact on Grain Prices27:04 – Interest Rates, Economic Uncertainty and Farm Finances27:51 – Fertilizer Prices and 2027 Input Purchasing Decisions31:39 – Clare Back Research: New Market Charts and Signals32:53 – Clare Back Research Birthday Flash Sale35:20 – Why Farmers Need Different Market Perspectives36:03 – What’s Next for What The Futures? #WhatTheFutures #GrainMarketing #CanolaPrices #CropMarketing #GrainMarkets #FarmManagement #Agriculture 🎧 Listen to the show on the go. https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz7OvO7P0WDW8mAx25L1y?si=bd51356530834599https://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

  4. Oct 17

    Should Farmers Buy Fertilizer Now? 2027 Price Outlook. Guest: James Mitchell

    Are fertilizer prices going to get even more expensive heading into the 2027 growing season? And with crop prices starting to soften, should Western Canadian farmers be locking in fertilizer and grain prices now — or waiting for a better opportunity? On Episode 148 of What The Futures, Ryan Denis breaks down the latest grain market trends, crop marketing opportunities, and fertilizer price outlook before sitting down with James Mitchell from Crop Management Network for an in-depth conversation about fertilizer markets heading into fall 2026. With global fertilizer supply under pressure, higher freight costs, a weaker Canadian dollar, and uncertainty surrounding international trade and shipping routes, the decisions farmers make this fall could have a major impact on next year's profitability. Ryan and James discuss the factors driving nitrogen, urea, phosphate, potash, and sulfur prices, why fertilizer costs may remain elevated, and whether farmers should start purchasing fertilizer for the 2027 crop. They also explore the relationship between grain prices and fertilizer demand, canola acreage expectations, and the risks of waiting too long for fertilizer prices to come down. Ryan also shares his latest crop marketing outlook, including some surprising cash grain prices across the Prairies. With yellow peas trading around $10.25/bushel in Alberta, maple peas near $11, oats at $4.50, and opportunities emerging in durum, wheat, and barley, farmers may have more marketing options than the headlines suggest. The key message? Know your numbers, check your local bids, protect profitable margins, and have a plan for 2027. Waiting for the perfect price can be costly, but making informed decisions based on your farm's profitability can help you manage risk in an unpredictable market.

  5. Oct 10

    $10 Yellow Peas.... CWRS Spreads & the Rules. Ag360 Stops by to chat A.I.

    Grain prices are moving higher, yellow peas are pushing toward $10/bushel, and farmers across the Prairies have some important crop marketing decisions to make.  In Episode 147 of What The Futures, Ryan Denis breaks down the latest grain market opportunities, discusses how to protect your value when dealing with grain buyers, and sits down with Mike Murphy of AG 360 to explore how AI and technology are changing the future of farming. First, Ryan is joined by Sarah Cochet with Trigger to discuss hard red spring wheat spreads, No. 3 wheat discounts, and what happens when a farmer locks in a grain contract spread only to face resistance from the buyer at delivery. They dig into the importance of understanding elevator spreads, checking contract terms, and negotiating to protect your bottom line. Ryan also reviews the latest crop marketing opportunities across Western Canada, including yellow peas approaching $10/bushel, flax bids reaching $18/bushel, hard red spring wheat prices nearing $10/bushel in parts of Saskatchewan, durum opportunities, and malt barley prices. He also shares his thoughts on wheat futures, basis improvements, and preparing a crop marketing strategy for the 2027 growing season. Then, Mike Murphy joins the show to explain AG 360, an agricultural technology platform designed to bring farm data, equipment information, grain marketing, and farm management tools together in one place. They discuss how artificial intelligence can help farmers make better decisions, reduce time spent on spreadsheets, improve efficiency, and take emotion out of crop marketing decisions. In this episode, you'll learn about: - Yellow pea prices and the opportunity to capture stronger bids- Hard red spring wheat spreads and No. 3 wheat discounts- Grain contract negotiations and protecting your value at delivery- How to compare elevator bids and challenge questionable grading discounts- Current flax, wheat, durum, and malt barley price opportunities- Wheat futures, basis gains, and crop marketing strategy- AG 360 and the future of farm management technology- How AI can support farmers and crop marketers without replacing them- Building crop power rankings and planning profitability for 2027 Whether you're growing wheat, peas, flax, durum, or barley, this episode of What The Futures offers practical crop marketing insights to help you evaluate bids, negotiate grain contracts, and make more informed farm business decisions. Subscribe to What The Futures for weekly grain market updates, Canadian agriculture news, crop marketing strategies, commodity price discussions, and practical advice for farmers across the Prairies and Northern Plains. 00:00 – Yellow Peas Hit $10: Grain Market Highlights01:09 – Welcome to What The Futures16:16 – Hard Red Spring Wheat Spreads and Grain Discounts18:04 – The $10 Yellow Pea Opportunity20:04 – No. 3 Wheat Discounts: What Farmers Need to Know22:09 – Grain Contract Spreads and Delivery Disputes24:45 – Comparing Elevator Spreads and Protecting Your Grain Value31:54 – Song of the Week and Positive Moments41:00 – Wheat Futures, Basis Gains and Crop Marketing Strategy44:39 – Mike Murphy Joins: Introducing AG 36047:03 – Why Farmers Need Better Agricultural Technology49:53 – Streamlining Grain Marketing and Farm Management57:12 – How AI Can Help Farmers Make Better Decisions01:07:13 – Will AI Replace Crop Marketers?01:15:04 – Yellow Peas, Flax and Current Grain Prices01:16:19 – $18 Flax and Spring Wheat Near $1001:18:18 – Malt Barley and Crop Planning for 202701:20:01 – No. 3 Wheat: Negotiating Better Grain Deals01:22:33 – Final Crop Marketing Advice #WhatTheFutures #GrainMarketing #GrainPrices #CropMarketing #CanadianAgriculture #WheatPrices #YellowPeas #FarmManagement #AgTech #ArtificialIntelligence 🎧 Listen to the show on the go. https://open.spotify.com/show/3xz7OvO7P0WDW8mAx25L1y?si=bd51356530834599https://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/

  6. Oct 2

    DURUM, MALT BARLEY, and QUALITY SENSITIVE CROPS RALLY

    What the Futures!

  7. Sep 25

    "I'm Sorry But You're Going to be Paying More for Canadian Crops" Guest: Chuck Penner

    What the Futures!

  8. Sep 18

    High Diesel. Big Discounts. Stats Can. Farm Wealth w/Guest: Derryn Shrosbree w/FarmStrong

    00:00 – Spring Wheat Discounts & Harvest 2026 03:17 – High Diesel Prices Are Hurting Farm Margins 05:50 – What Farmers Need to Know About Wheat Discounts 16:27 – Interest Rates, the U.S. Dollar & Ag Markets 18:43 – StatsCan Crop Production Numbers Explained 22:48 – Lentils & Oats: Where Are Prices Headed? 27:07 – Spring Wheat Discounts Across Grain Buyers 30:59 – Why Number 3 Wheat Discounts Matter 33:54 – Should Farmers Get an Independent Grain Grade? 37:03 – Derryn Shrosbree & FarmStrong 43:03 – Managing Uncertainty in Farm Decision-Making 46:44 – Farm Succession & Planning for the Next Generation 50:49 – Harvesting the City & Connecting Canadian Farmers 55:48 – Current Grain Prices & Basis Movement 58:12 – Harvest 2026: Negotiation & Marketing Strategy

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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
    191
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    What the Futures!

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