EU Budget Quandary The EU is in a quandary about how to square its budget following the exit of the UK, which was a net positive contributor to the balance sheet. In addition to taking on new spending goals on the environment, farmers are demanding that their share of the budget not be cut. The Common Agricultural Policy has consumed a declining share of the overall EU budget for years, dropping from nearly 60 percent in the late 1980’s on average to a projected 30 percent going forward. U.S. agricultural support spending has already been a relatively small share of the overall federal budget but has risen in dollar expenditures in recent years. The following graph shows the relative decline in EU outlays versus the recent rise in U...
What You Need to Know Today: President Trump claimed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was over, as both sides accused one another of violating the terms of the agreement. Commercial vessels are increasingly steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz as security risks escalate following Iran...
Key Takeaways: The CME Group is launching new 90 percent Lean Beef and 50 percent Lean Beef futures and options contracts in July. There are five key factors that must be present in physical markets and futures contract specifications for futures contracts to become successful. The two l...
WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “...
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.