Zhang Hongzhou at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore says that geopolitical tensions, war, and climate change have refocused China on food self-sufficiency. Not that it had lost importance, but it is now receiving greater attention. He quotes Chinese President Xi Jinping stating, "Historical experience has taught us that money is useless in the event of a famine. To solve the problem of feeding 1.3 billion people, we must rely on domestic food production." USDA/FAS has increased its estimate for China’s corn production this season by 1 percent to 280 MMT. It accomplished this feat by adding 300,000 hectares to the production area. If true, this means China achieved the equivalent of 148 bushels/acre, which isn’t bad cons...
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...
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.