World Perspectives
feed-grains livestock biofuel

An Honest Assessment of U.S. Ethanol Policy

It seems ironic that established government policy can have the opposite effect of its stated objectives. For example, the vast majority of congressional representatives who support ethanol probably consider themselves to be successful advocates of American agriculture and the family farm. Consider the following well-intentioned statement from Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) when he criticized a coalition that opposes the Federal government's ethanol mandate:"I think that what the group is really asking for is to have the grain farmers subsidize their livestock feed at $3 or $4, like they did or have been over a long period of time -- until two or three years ago when the price of grain got up, and I think they ought to be a little bit em...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News  Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa Black Sea port infrastructure on 23 December reportedly damaged a vessel carrying Ukrainian soybeans.   The EU Commission raised its forecast of EU common wheat production to 134.4 MMT for 2025/26 and bumped th...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s Safaga port, south on the Red Sea, will be expanded and improved as a result of an agreement between Egypt’s Al Dahra Agriculture and Abu Dhabi based AD Pors Group. There are plans to make Safaga into a regiona...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins deteriorated further last week, extending their move into negative territory after early December’s strong profits. Margins fell another $65/head to –$140 as fed cattle prices held firm while the Choice cutout slipped nearly $2/cwt. The tightening spread reflects...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

European Market Analysis

Regional News  Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine’s Odesa Black Sea port infrastructure on 23 December reportedly damaged a vessel carrying Ukrainian soybeans.   The EU Commission raised its forecast of EU common wheat production to 134.4 MMT for 2025/26 and bumped th...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa Regional Analysis

Mediterranean/Middle East/North Africa/Africa – MEA Region Egypt’s Safaga port, south on the Red Sea, will be expanded and improved as a result of an agreement between Egypt’s Al Dahra Agriculture and Abu Dhabi based AD Pors Group. There are plans to make Safaga into a regiona...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins deteriorated further last week, extending their move into negative territory after early December’s strong profits. Margins fell another $65/head to –$140 as fed cattle prices held firm while the Choice cutout slipped nearly $2/cwt. The tightening spread reflects...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: CBOT Bounces on Short-Covering and Positive Export Data

The CBOT turned higher on Monday with positive export data from USDA and a healthy dose of bottom-picking and pre-holiday short covering driving the upside action. Corn was the upside leader for the day as export shipments remain strong with foreign buyers and end-users picking up the purchase...

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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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