World Perspectives
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Ag Review: The Great Drought of 2012

Drought Implications The drought has brought with it a variety of explanations and proposed solutions. The Great Drought of 2012 A drought is loosely defined as a lengthy period of sub-normal rainfall usually accompanied by above-normal temperatures. By that definition, the United States is in the grips of a searing drought. At this juncture we can say that the severity of 2012 drought is nearing that of other major droughts, and we can predict with confidence that its damage will be very costly. Very Tight Soybean Supplies The 2012 calendar year has seen an unprecedented decline in global soybean production as a result of droughts in South America, the U.S. and potentially one in India. As a result, global demand will have to be ratio...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Markets Cautiously Calm Amid Shutdown but Volatility Looms

The CBOT was mixed to start the week with traders increasingly aware of the ongoing government shutdown. Monday’s trade saw the ag markets trade somewhat cautiously with few willing to add much risk amid the reduced USDA data (we say “reduced” and not “eliminated”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2175/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1275/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.1775/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $277.1/short ton, down $...

Breaking Convention

No political leader has broken rules and norms like President Trump but only because previous leaders refused to bravely declare that the emperor has no clothes. The list of upended conventions is long and still growing. Just this past week it was investors noting how economists have been wrong...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Markets Cautiously Calm Amid Shutdown but Volatility Looms

The CBOT was mixed to start the week with traders increasingly aware of the ongoing government shutdown. Monday’s trade saw the ag markets trade somewhat cautiously with few willing to add much risk amid the reduced USDA data (we say “reduced” and not “eliminated”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2175/bushel, up $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1275/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.1775/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $277.1/short ton, down $...

Breaking Convention

No political leader has broken rules and norms like President Trump but only because previous leaders refused to bravely declare that the emperor has no clothes. The list of upended conventions is long and still growing. Just this past week it was investors noting how economists have been wrong...

FAO Global Food Price Index Down on Month Except for Meat

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global price index for animal proteins is at a record level in September, up 0.9 points over August and 7.9 points above year-ago levels. September was the eighth consecutive increase in the index. The increase in the meat index cam...

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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.

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