This study reports the results of a survey of grain elevators in South Dakota completed in 2007 and focuses on the marketing patterns for spring wheat, winter wheat, oats, barley, corn, soybeans and sunflower seeds for the marketing year 2005/06. During the year, elevators’ market share in South Dakota was 54%, 83%, 91% and 83% for corn, soybeans, spring wheat, and winter wheat, respectively. Contrary to reports for Iowa and Indiana, the increase in ethanol production in the state did not have an adverse impact on elevators’ market share for corn in South Dakota. In terms of volume, cash purchase, delayed pricing, cash forward contracts, and hedge to arrive contracts, collectively, accounted for more than 95% of each of the grain and oilseed purchased by... |