There are 56 days until the 2020 elections. In addition to the Presidential election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for consideration, and 33 Senate seats plus one special election in Georgia. (Due to the resignation of Senator Johnny Isakson, both of Georgia’s Senate seats are contested this year). Regardless of the election outcome, there will be changes in the leadership of the Congressional Agriculture Committees. Senate Agriculture Committee chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) and House Agriculture Committee ranking Republican Mike Conaway (R-Texas) are both retiring. If Democrats win control of the Senate, Committee Ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) would again become chairperson as she was from 2...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.