Commerzbank Pulls out of Food Price Speculation

Aug 13, 2012

Commerzbank’s Moral Move

The 2012 drought that’s hammering the Corn Belt regions in the U.S. and parts of Canada has been stirring up chaos in the food price debate with every major bank and agriculture economics expert speculating on what food prices are going to do in response to the drought. It’s been a circus of speculating opinions, instilling fear among farmers and consumers alike. For one bank speculating on food prices is a moral statement, Commerzbank one of the biggest banks in Germany has said that they will stop speculating on basic food prices as they will not play a role in artificially pushing up food prices.

"If a bank can't be sure which damage such speculation may cause, it should not offer such funds to be on the safe side," Foodwatch Germany Managing Director Thilo Bode said in a statement.

Commerzbank has eliminated all agricultural products from its Commodity fund, to ensure that their agricultural funds don’t artificially spur food prices contributing to possible hunger in some parts of the world. This is an admirable move made by Commerzbank and they should be commended on their leadership and signalling to the world that they don’t plan on exacerbating the food price scenario.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.