The volatility in the grain market is creating opportunities of a generation for savvy traders. However, not everyone has the bankroll to get involved. Spreads may be the way. In the last five years in the world of commodity resources, few sectors have moved as quickly into the mainstream consciousness as the agricultural and soft commodity markets. This is for good reason. Grains in particular have experienced one af the most significant rallies in the sector's history. What all traders want to know is whether the ag boom and volatility is here to stay or if it is about to fizzle. Indeed, corn ultimately may prove a victim of its own success. The sudden rush into corn-based ethanol, and the flood of hot investment money that went with it is showing signs of fading. Corn seemed destined to reach $10 - a price that many in the industry agree is not sustainable for the long term, at least not yet (see "Off the highs," right). The driving force behind such high prices has been demand, mostly from traditional feed processors but also ethanol. Corn-based ethanol created a fundamental shift in the demand landscape, and farmers have been planting corn post to post the last several years to take advantage of it.
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