At Baker’s Candies, family isn’t just a value—it’s the foundation of their success. In this episode of Building Nebraska, CEO Todd Baker shares how he and his brother have carved out unique roles within the business while keeping their family at the heart of every decision. “The great thing for…
Consistent randomness and investigative reporting are two themes that come from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour every August. But what's the significance of the data to the markets? Is it accurate? And how should the data be used in grain marketing decisions? That's the focus of this week's episode of…
On-farm grain storage gives farmers another option at harvest, but it also adds a few more factors to consider in a risk management plan. For farmers considering expanding their on-farm storage capacity, what specifically should they be factoring into that decision? What technological advancements in grain storage are making an…
On-farm grain storage has drastically changed how producers harvest and market their grain. What are the economic benefits of keeping grain in good condition? Are there considerable differences in storage practices? In part one of a two-part discussion, Dr. Ken Hellevang, a professor and extension engineer in the Department of…
Baker’s Candies founder Kevin Baker set out to make a product that “Nebraska could be proud of.” These days, the company produces what is affectionately known as “Nebraska’s Chocolate.” Though sweet, delectable chocolates are a source of pride for Nebraska residents, “Nebraska’s Chocolate” has not stayed within state lines. The…
Baker's Candies: How an engineer crafted Nebraska’s favorite chocolate Would you believe us if we told you Nebraska’s favorite chocolate was created by an engineer in the aerospace industry who found himself without a job? Kevin Baker, founder of Baker’s Candies, worked for the U.S. Department of Defense during the…
When Memorial Day approached this year, the Smiths in Portsmouth, Iowa, only had one field planted. Fast forward to August, father-son duo Galen and David said the crops are growing well. "We were trying to get a lot of things done before we started planting," said Galen, the father. "And…
Due to the growing demand for soybean oil, soybean crush capacity is rapidly expanding across Nebraska to increase soy oil output. Will this lead to increased soybean prices? How do you factor these elements into your risk management plan? In recent years, there has been a notable increase in demand…
Bee Bum, a honeybee farm near Beatrice, Nebraska, is expecting to harvest about 6,500 pounds of honey this year. Owner Kevin Monfelt said commercial honeybee production presents many challenges and opportunities in Nebraska. Bee Bum operates 300 bee colonies and they're hoping to reach 400 colonies by next year. Monfelt…
The U.S. Dollar. The Brazilian Deal. The Chinese Yuan. The U.S. Dollar is often referred to in commodity trading, but why? What impact does it have on major commodities? About 65% - 75% of all price settlements and merchandise trade invoices have been settled in U.S. dollars, according to Mike…
