World Perspectives

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 for predicting a recession this year due to tariffs.  Europeans are furious at their leaders for capitulating to Mr. Trump on trade only because they still lack an appreciation for how overly-dependent they had become on the U.S. for both national defense and trade built on unequal terms. They are still ignoring the advice of Mario Draghy on making their economies more competitive even as their welfare state falls apart as currently witnessed in...

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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 $...

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...

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 $...

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...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Limping Home After a Dreary Week

Friday involved relatively lower volume and modest price changes as new inputs remain limited. And it wasn’t really due to the lack of USDA reports due to the shutdown since they may not have involved anything market moving. Harvest is progressing, competitors have ample supplies, and buy...

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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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