Beijing wants the U.S. to concede to China the status of being a “market economy” under the rules of the WTO, but it has a funny way of trying to sway Washington. Chlorine F Bombs “We don’t even chlorinate our chickens.” Showing that he knows the angst of the average European, that is the reported quip by Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladminir Chizhov. Never mind the fact that both Russia and Europe put chlorine in their drinking water; Chizhof is trying to stop the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations. Largely making the same case as President Obama, Moscow is concerned that TTIP plus the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) means that Russia, China and India will be excluded from a consortium encompassing two-th...
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.