It’s easy and you can do it anywhere, any time.
That approach seems to be working for the farmers who have tried Viterra’s new online grain contracting program, the company says.
“We’re seeing contracts done daily, which is exciting,” Jeff Cockwill, Viterra’s director of corporate affairs, said about the new entirely online function within its MyViterra digital market platform.
Farmers now can make basis, flat-price and futures sales through the program on mobile phone and desktop computers without having to talk directly to a marketing representative.
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Previous to this, farmers could make target price contracts that would execute if the trigger was hit.
As well, farmers could see posted prices for Viterra elevators, along with basis and other charges.
However, they couldn’t entirely transact sales contracts without that extra step of calling the delivery point and closing the deal.
Now it can be done with a click.
“It’s a good fit,” said Cockwill, who believes this is the first program of this type in Canada’s grain industry.
“A lot of our people are on their phones all the time. This is a big part of their business, their mobile phone and their desktop. Now they can just make those decisions on their own.”
This won’t eliminate the role of the company’s marketing people, who can now spend more time on advice rather than filling out the order.
“Our customer account rep’s job is basically to provide market insight, value-added advice around helping growers make marketing decisions that are profitable for their operations,” said Cockwill.
