Russian Grain Markets: 30 January - 3 February 2023 Russian domestic grain markets remained stable. The only commodity which slightly recovered is barley, but this is the exception rather than the rule. It is a record crop in Russia this season. Corn is under pressure from Ukrainian price dumping in the region, however, incredible high freight rates and demurrage in the Black Sea make it quite difficult to figure the right price. In any case, traders are trying to secure their positions and minimize risks thus keeping their bids low knowing that there is sufficient supply of grains in the region. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, some Russian farms (especially those closely linked to Putin) grew in size and obv...
Illuminating the value of technical research
On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...