After an extremely slow start to 2016 and a modest recovery in the spring, U.S. food and agricultural exports to China have recovered nicely as a result of two factors. Meanwhile, U.S. wheat exports to that country initially look disappointing for September, but the total for the first nine months of 2016 tells a different story. Oilseeds Soymeal Inventories Reverse Course China’s soymeal inventories had reversed a six-week skid starting 21 October and climbed to 630,000 MT before falling again in the second week of November to 588,600 MT (-6.6 percent). At the end of last week, the nationwide total stood at 590,000 MT, a slight increase of 1,400 MT (+0.24 percent) from the previous week but 650,000 MT lower (-52.24 percent) than a year...
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.