Battlefront Reporting Another day and more news on the trade war front. On the first day of new retaliatory tariffs by the EU on U.S. goods, German automakers offered zero-for-zero transatlantic tariffs. President Trump responded with the threat to impose 20 percent tariffs on imports of European automobiles. There were continued threats that China would tell its consumers to boycott American goods and suggestions that it could do great harm to U.S. companies operating in the Middle Kingdom. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that his citizens buy domestically-produced goods and vacation in Canada. Political opposition to Trump’s war is growing. Republican U.S. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota suggested an endgame...
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.