Grain

Before you sell your corn or soybeans, consider all of your options.


Marketing strategies for every grower

Marketing strategies for every grower

United Cooperative has gone to great lengths to make sure our grain receiving facilities are in the right locations for the majority of our member-owners. We keep our handling and storage equipment clean and in good working order to minimize hiccups during the critical fall harvest season, and offer extended grain delivery hours and extra help to keep our local harvest rolling.

For grain customers who use forward-pricing strategies, we can help you with your marketing plans and order placement, or execute orders and deliveries from your outside marketing firm. Our goal is to work with you in any capacity that makes the most sense for your operation. Click below for contracting options or to find a location near you.

Grain News

Letter from the CEO

May 01, 2024 | United Cooperative-Beaver Dam
With 2023 completed, I want to reflect on the tremendous momentum we have experienced this year. Our employees and facilities functioned at a very high level, creating growth, and timely service. I want to thank the employees for their commitment and dedication and our member/own...

Marquis and United Cooperative announce the sale of Marquis’ Necedah, Wisconsin, Ethanol facility to United Cooperative

Apr 16, 2024 | United Cooperative-Beaver Dam
NECEDAH, WISCONSIN Today, Marquis and United Cooperative announced the sale of Marquis’ Necedah, Wisconsin, ethanol facility to United Cooperative. The facility will operate under the new name of United Energy Necedah LLC. The asset sale will be effective May 31, 2024,...

Budgeting with Low Grain Prices

Feb 19, 2024 | United Cooperative-Beaver Dam
With the drop in corn and soybean prices from last year it is very tempting and sometimes necessary to cut back on inputs in response to declining revenues. This, however, often becomes a double-edged sword. While saving money you might be costing yourself significant income. The...

Harvesting Success Amidst Logistical Challenges: United Cooperative's Crop Insights and Expansion Plans

Dec 14, 2023 | United Cooperative-Beaver Dam
The grain crop was a pleasant surprise for most. United Cooperative is still working to finish receiving the crop from the field as I write this. We also are in the process of picking up piles in our southern territory while still putting some out on piles in the northern territo...

Contract Options

All purchase contracts have only standard drying and shrink policies applied and no storage fees.
Grain ownership is transferred immediately upon delivery to United Cooperative.
All contracts will be confirmed in writing that must be signed and returned to United Cooperative.

Fixed (Forward) Price Contract

Used to lock in a price for a specific quantity, future delivery period, and location.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
  • Can capture favorable prices when grain is not immediately available for delivery
  • Simple and easy to understand/use; all aspects of the contract are established
  • Cannot benefit from additional improvements in price
  • Delivery is required regardless of yield or quality concerns
Basis Contract

Bushels are sold (specific quantity, delivery period, location) with only the basis established. The producer can set the futures at any time prior to the first notice day for the contracted futures month (or it will be automatically set at noon).

AdvantagesDisadvantages
  • Allows producer to lock in a basis and eliminate downward basis risk
  • Still have opportunity to capture positive futures movement
  • While waiting to set contract futures price, the producer can receive a 70% cash price advance (i.e. 3.50 cash = 2.45 advance)
  • Contract can be rolled once within the same crop year ($.03 roll fee) with the basis adjusted according to the spread between the different futures months
  • Basis will narrow if there is an inversion in the market when rolled
  • Cannot take advantage of basis improvements Risk downward movement of CBOT futures prices Producer maintains responsibility to follow market to set desired futures price
  • Basis may widen when rolled if there is a carry If an advance is received and the current cash value falls below the advanced amount, the producer will be responsible to reimburse the difference to United Cooperative
Futures (Hedge to Arrive) Contract

Bushels are sold (specific quantity, delivery period, location) with only the futures price established. The producer must set the basis prior to or automatically at delivery

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Allows producer to lock in a futures and eliminate downward CBOT risk
Still have opportunity to capture basis improvements
Can not take advantage CBOT futures price increases
Risk basis changes $.05 services fee to establish the contract
Minimum Price Contract

Bushels are sold (specific quantity in 5000 bu. increments, delivery period, location) as a cash sales with the cost of an option and service fee deducted.

AdvantagesDisadvantages
  • Eliminate price decline risk Still have opportunity to capture positive CBOT movement
  • All costs/fees are fixed and determined at the time the contract is written based on option chosen by the producer
  • Cost of option may exceed storage fees Cannot capture positive basis movement Requires selling in 5000 bu increments $.01 service fee to establish the contract Must complete pricing before deadlines or premium is forfeited
Average Price Contract

Bushels are sold (specific quantity, harvest delivery, location) with the futures price to be determined based on a 22 week average. The basis is set by the producer at any time prior to or automatically at delivery. Click here for more information.


*Sign up deadline is January 31st, 2023.


Advantages Disadvantages
  • 22 week period occurs during a historically favorably pricing period
  • Disciplined marketing approach Easy to follow
  • Limited sign up period
  • Risk basis changes
  • During the pricing period, there will be instances when other contract options are better vs. the final average price
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Agri-Producer Security Fund Notification

United Cooperative participates in Wisconsin’s Agricultural Producer Security Program. If we fail to pay you for grain when payment is due, you may file a claim under this program. The program may provide some compensation. However,our “estimated default exposure” exceeds program coverage, and we have not filed security to cover the difference, so compensation may cover only a portion of your loss. For more information, you may contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 2811 Agriculture Drive, P.O.Box8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911 (phone 608/224-4998).

Contract Options
Delivery Options

Delivery Options

Delivery Procedures

  • Have tarps rolled open before proceeding to the scale or probe.
  • Driver must know/inform scale operator of the account/name and application method to which the load should be applied. Prior to leaving, driver should review the ticket for accuracy and immediately have corrections made, if necessary.
  • Please notify United Cooperative prior to delivery if you wish to have payment held/deferred.


Contract Grain:  Grain delivered will be applied to any contracts first, starting with the oldest contract written.  No early delivery of contract grain is allowed unless prior approval has been made.  Grain balances above contract amounts have the following choices for application:

Cash/Spot: The bushels designated will be sold at the current market price (Subject to change during CBOT trading hours). Contact a buyer if you wish to have your grain spotted upon delivery.

7-Day Hold: There is a 7-day (calendar days) hold period for which grain can be delivered without storage charges accruing within the 7 days.  Grain that is not sold within 7 days will be put into storage, and the storage start date reverts to the date of delivery.  The 7-day hold applies to each load delivered.

Storage (Open Storage): Grain designated for storage will be assessed the applicable storage fees, including minimums and may have additional drying & shrink.

Grain Bank: Grain designated for grain bank is for feed purposes with applicable storage fees and may have additional drying & shrink.

Grain Discounts

Corn Discount Schedule - updated 9/12/2024


Soybean Discount Schedule - updated 9/12/2024


Wheat Discount Schedule - updated 7/10/2024

Grain Locations



Grain Team

Getting Started

The first step in selling grain at United Cooperative is filling out a brief membership or credit application.


Our Grain ACH Form allows you to receive automatic deposits of grain settlements. The direct deposit is typically seen within 24-48 hours of payment. To set up automatic deposits, download and complete the Grain ACH Form.