World Perspectives
feed-grains livestock

Agricultural Espionage

The idea of espionage over farm crops and food is novel to most consumers. However, the U.S. government has identified the sector as ripe for spying for years, and two recent cases illustrate that point.Industrial espionage of the seed corn variety is making a splash in the media. The New Republic published a story last week by Ted Genoways, "Corn Wars," which is about a 2011-12 investigation into the alleged stealing of proprietary seed corn samples by Chinese nationals in the U.S. and Canada and their attempt to take those seeds to China. It also covers the 2013-14 action taken against them. Genoways is an investigative reporter who has covered the standard salacious food and agricultural controversies, most recently including the whistle...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 25 Corn closed at $4.7575/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.5025/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close.  May 25 Soybeans closed at $10.35/bushel, up $0.055 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $299.5/short ton, down $0.8 fr...

livestock

HPAI Waning This Spring

In 2022 and 2023, most HPAI cases affected producers during the spring and fall. The years 2024 and 2025 were different, however. The bulk of cases occurred during the winter months. Between December 2024 and February 2025, approximately 53.7 million egg layers, turkeys, and broilers were culle...

The Future of the U.S. – China Trade War

The Washington International Trade Association held a conference today entitled, Phase 2: The Art of the Deal with China. Experts included former USTR officials, the former head of the U.S.-China Business Council, a former Obama Administration trade official, and the illustrious Asia expert Wen...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 25 Corn closed at $4.7575/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.5025/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close.  May 25 Soybeans closed at $10.35/bushel, up $0.055 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $299.5/short ton, down $0.8 fr...

livestock

HPAI Waning This Spring

In 2022 and 2023, most HPAI cases affected producers during the spring and fall. The years 2024 and 2025 were different, however. The bulk of cases occurred during the winter months. Between December 2024 and February 2025, approximately 53.7 million egg layers, turkeys, and broilers were culle...

The Future of the U.S. – China Trade War

The Washington International Trade Association held a conference today entitled, Phase 2: The Art of the Deal with China. Experts included former USTR officials, the former head of the U.S.-China Business Council, a former Obama Administration trade official, and the illustrious Asia expert Wen...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Iraq has confirmed that it will not need to import as much wheat in 2024/25 as it expects to see purchases of local wheat at 4.5 MMT while current stocks of wheat are at 2.8 MMT. Overall wheat production could reach 6.0 MMT. Press...

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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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