Our Mission
At Midwest Market Solutions, our mission is to empower producers, traders, and agribusinesses with disciplined market strategies, data-driven insights, and trusted guidance that strengthens their bottom line. We combine decades of market expertise with personalized risk-management solutions, helping clients navigate volatility with confidence and clarity.
Rooted in Midwest values of integrity, transparency, and hard work, we are committed to delivering timely analysis, proactive communication, and strategies tailored to each client’s unique operation. Our goal is simple: to help every client make informed decisions, capture opportunity, protect profitability, and stay competitive in an evolving global marketplace.
What We Do
We help clients navigate complex markets with tailored, data-driven solutions that align with their financial goals and operational needs. Our services include:
Our commodity marketing advisory services support grain and livestock producers across Springfield, Missouri; Yankton, South Dakota; Thief River Falls, Minnesota; and Pocahontas, Iowa. We work directly with producers to build customized marketing programs aligned with production goals, storage capacity, cash flow needs, and risk tolerance.
By combining local market insight with broader market analysis, we help producers make disciplined marketing decisions that reduce emotional reactions and support long-term profitability.
Midwest Market Solutions provides full-service brokerage and professional trade execution for producers across the Midwest through our clearing relationship with R.J. O’Brien & Associates. Our brokerage services support futures and options trading as part of a comprehensive marketing and risk management strategy.
Clients receive responsive execution, clear communication, and consistent oversight to ensure trades align with their broader marketing plan.
Producers working with Midwest Market Solutions receive timely market insights, commentary, and research designed to support informed decision-making across changing market conditions. Our analysis focuses on grain and livestock fundamentals, weather impacts, and global market drivers.
Market intelligence is delivered consistently across all branch locations, ensuring producers receive relevant, actionable information.
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Why Crop & Livestock Producers and Investors Trust Us
Trusted Voice in Commodity Markets Across TV, Radio & YouTube
For more than two decades, we’ve built our reputation on integrity, experience, and measurable results.
- Established Expertise – Over 20 years specializing in commodity marketing and trading.
- Trusted Partnership – Clearing through R.J. O’Brien & Associates, a leader in futures trading since 1914.
- Industry Insight – Advisors who understand both production agriculture and financial markets.
- Proven Support – Ongoing newsletters, trade research, and personalized hedging guidance.
At Midwest Market Solutions, our mission is to provide dependable information, professional strategy, and personal service that help every client manage risk and capture opportunity. We don’t just follow the markets, we help you stay ahead of them.
Our Commodity Team
Behind every strategy is a team of experienced brokers and analysts dedicated to client success. Meet the professionals who lead our branch offices across the Midwest and discover how their market experience can strengthen your marketing approach.
Brian Hoops
Springfield, MO
Headquarters
Brian brings decades of experience in commodity markets, specializing in market analysis, hedging strategy development, and risk management. He provides daily and weekly commentary to producers, investors, and agribusinesses nationwide and is regularly featured on TV, radio, and YouTube for his market insights. Brian leads the firm with a commitment to transparency, client education, and exceptional service.
Howard Kathol
Yankton, SD
Branch
Howard Kathol is a Commodity Broker for Midwest Market Solutions. Howard grew up in Yankton, South Dakota; later graduating from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. Howard began his farming career in 1990 and is currently producing 1,600 acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa in the Gayville, South Dakota area. He is married and has four children.
Doug Conti
Yankton, SD
Branch
Doug Conti is a commodity broker and market analyst with Midwest Market Solutions. Doug has been a licensed broker since 1995. Doug is well versed in the livestock markets as he has previous employment experience as a hog buyer. Doug specializes in ag marketing plans with emphasis in the livestock sector.
Chris Swanstrom
Yankton, SD
Branch
Chris Swanstrom is the licensed Branch Manager and a commodity broker of Midwest Market Solutions. He enjoys making farm operations more profitable for traders by analyzing and researching market direction. Chris uses a variety of tools such as options, futures, and spreads to achieve maximum profit potential. He also performs speculative trading in a host of commodities. Chris joined our team in 2005.
Jeff Simonsen
Yankton, SD
Branch
Jeff Simonsen is a broker and market analyst of Midwest Market Solutions. Jeff grew up in Yankton, SD, and graduated from Yankton High School in 1998 and from the University of South Dakota in 2002. While attending USD Jeff was accepted into the School of Business and specialized in finance. He is married with two children.
Jody Miller
Thief River Falls, MN
Branch
Jody Miller leads the Northern Ag Incorporated branch of Midwest Market Solutions in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. With over 20 years of agricultural marketing experience, she specializes in hedge risk management, helping producers align crop insurance with cash and futures strategies to manage market risk.
She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University.
Tim Flaherty
Pocahontas, IA
Branch
Tim Flaherty is the Principal of Poky Trading, a branch of Midwest Market Solutions in Pocahontas, Iowa. Since 1985, Poky Trading has offered brokerage and advisory support to producers in northwest Iowa. Tim focuses on helping clients develop effective, long-term marketing strategies based on practical experience. His office includes Administrative Assistant Teri Stover, who ensures attentive service for all clients.
Cole Whitman
Yankton, SD
Branch
Chris Swanstrom is the licensed Branch Manager and a commodity broker of Midwest Market Solutions. He enjoys making farm operations more profitable for traders by analyzing and researching market direction. Chris uses a variety of tools such as options, futures, and spreads to achieve maximum profit potential. He also performs speculative trading in a host of commodities. Chris joined our team in 2005.