It wasn’t exactly “turnaround Tuesday” since the markets were closed yesterday, but it sure felt like it was. Wheat futures fell hard on short covering and a sharply higher dollar, despite lingering weather concerns. Corn was slightly lower after making a new high for its current rally, with hedge pressure blamed for much of the losses. Soybeans managed to work their way higher, with the Argentine weather again fueling higher prices. Outside markets are working against the CBOT with U.S. equities lower (the Dow off 200 points or 0.8 percent and the S&P 500 down 8.5 points or 0.3 percent) and the U.S. dollar index 50 points higher at 89.6. COMEX gold futures are down $23-24/ounce today while crude oil is mixed (W...
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.