I think your mattress is a good place for now. I actually hold more KXL than I maybe should for a sane PF, but bought some in Sept at about a buck, sold enough at 1.65 to cover my cost and rebought at .92 and will put a stop loss under it when it gets above about 1.40 so if it comes down I will recoup my investment again. Some day I will wish I never sold those shares but until then I hope to get some more "free " shares.

I would have to look into it, but am quite sure that there are more tonnes of grain contracted on futures than exist in bins, as all it takes is someone to agree to "buy" in the future, and someone to "sell" in the future. There are a ton of specualtors who likely don't know wheat from canola and while some curse their actions, they provide liquidity (that is a trendy word!) in the market place.

I would be curious to hear from an end user of gold on how they go about buying and hedging. I am guessing they buy on a spot market, and may hedge as we farmers do on the futures, never intending on getting delivery of the futures contract. Of course there is lots of speculation in gold as well.

Finally, thanks to all those who have worn a uniform and served their country. I appreciate it, and many of us do remember much more often than just November.