Boo ya

[charliep]

I am still confused. No one is suggesting buying puts on the same crop volume you have already signed a deferred delivery contract. You have no down side price risk on this crop. Your strategy would be calls to position yourself if the market moves higher.

Options are rights , not obligations to take a futures position. Many times you will sell the option at some point to capture some of the time value and volatility versus letting expire worthless. Has to be looked in an individual circumstance.

They are just one tool in many. They are a cost and can be expensive. When you would like most (i.e. markets are volatile), they can be really expensive. For some, it is just as easy to sell futures/be prepared to use the money you would have spent on a option to make margin calls if things go against you.

I think we may be saying the same thing but not sure.

[Nudge]

too many people on this thread with thorough understandings of the markets using different nuances of trading terminology. I think those commenting on here get it. Just hope you all made money during the run-up. Whether through unpriced production, long futures, long calls, or even short puts. many ways to skin the cat.

[charliep]

There will be margin required if you exercise. You are in the money so the margin requirement are likely to be minimal. If you have a trading account, you likely have margin posted even if you are just using options. Another factor is to be aware if you are exercise at the option at or close to expiry is that you are getting close to the delivery period with a futures position. As happened with the July ICE canola futures, things can get pretty wild in terms of volatility. Your broker may want more protection in your margin account. Haven't traded options myself but would be a reason I would liquidate well ahead of expiry/not exercise (take the futures position).

[cottonpicken]

Eight out of ten options expire worthless?or something like that.

My arguement vs Charlie's is calls are the only option that makes sence for a farmer. After re reading some stuff maybe we are more on the same page. A few weeks or days ago I thought I remembered you suggesting puts on a forward sell which maybe I am wrong about so I'm sorry.



Commercials and specs whole other can of worms.