Market Perspective

Over the last month and a half the grain markets have been on quite a

roller coaster along with other financial markets, with a ripple effect

occurring from sharply lower oil prices. Overproduction of oil and Saudi

Arabia's refusal to lower its production has caused crude oil prices to

be cut in half from the summer high of $110/barrel. Crude oil today is

trading at $48/barrel.

An unseen consequence of this was the very negative effect on the

Russian economy. The sanctions that the west put on Russia after its

annexation of Crimea hurt their economy and financial markets, but the

dagger has be...