Regional News A build-up of Russian military forces along part of the Russian/Ukrainian border is raising tensions between Kyiv and Moscow. So far, cash-connected grain traders say the political tensions have yet to affect grain trade or prices from the region. The CBOT’s launched its new Ukrainian Wheat Futures contract on Monday, a contract that will be financially settled to Platt’s reported prices. As of this writing, no volume or open interest has been established in the contract. A recent cold, dry weather pattern over the UK is raising concerns about soil moisture conditions, especially for spring crops that were recently planted. Temperatures are forecast to remain below average this week with...
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...
Russian Grain Markets: 29 June-3 July 2026 The new marketing season has officially begun in Russia, although bearish sentiment has been concentrated in the southern regions closest to the Black Sea ports, where export demand has been weakest. Delays in grain deliveries to inland elevators have...
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.