Early morning gains gave way to afternoon losses in the CBOT markets while livestock futures were steady/higher. The weather remains moderately bullish row crops. This weekend’s weather was unusually hot and dry across the U.S. Midwest and Southern Plains. Unfortunately, this looks to be the first of several such spells, with hot weather again returning at the end of this week. While late-May heat correlates poorly with eventual corn and soybean yield losses, the present weather pattern suggests the summer will be hotter and perhaps drier than ideal. Elsewhere in the world, the Black Sea remains under a warm/dry spell while the spring wheat crop in Russia is too cool/wet. To date, approximately 60 percent of Russia’s spri...
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.
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...