World Perspectives
energy

It is all Relative

The inflating costs of energy has some policymakers concerned about its impact on the economic recovery as consumers redirect their spending obligations. However, it is important to weigh inflation relative to the base cost. For example, energy costs are inflating faster in the U.S. and Canada, but the base cost of electricity in these two countries is half that of the UK, Italy, or Japan. Germans pay nearly three times as much for electricity as Americans or Canadians and so the impact of any inflation is worse. In Italy, energy costs are high and so is the inflation rate, making it far more concerning.  A similar situation exists in the food sector. Food inflation in Canada and the U.S. at 2 percent and 2.5 percent respectively, is...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Continued Edging Lower on Big Supplies

It was a mixed and quiet close to the market after a week of mostly price declines. There were new contract lows scored by front month SRW and HRS. Soybean traders didn’t know where to take their positions and so they left the September and November contracts both unchanged. Outside marke...

Tariffs, Mexico Extension, Federal Reserve, and Jobs Report

President Trump signed an executive order yesterday unveiling a massive overhaul of U.S. tariff policy, introducing a series of new tariff rates for U.S. trading partners. The executive order was signed hours before today’s deadline, but the order also included a provision to start the ne...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.1075/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.1675/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $9.8925/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $280.5/short ton, up $4.5 from y...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Continued Edging Lower on Big Supplies

It was a mixed and quiet close to the market after a week of mostly price declines. There were new contract lows scored by front month SRW and HRS. Soybean traders didn’t know where to take their positions and so they left the September and November contracts both unchanged. Outside marke...

Tariffs, Mexico Extension, Federal Reserve, and Jobs Report

President Trump signed an executive order yesterday unveiling a massive overhaul of U.S. tariff policy, introducing a series of new tariff rates for U.S. trading partners. The executive order was signed hours before today’s deadline, but the order also included a provision to start the ne...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.1075/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.1675/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $9.8925/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $280.5/short ton, up $4.5 from y...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

How Will Soybeans’ Uncertain Outlook Affect Other Commodities?

November soybean futures’ recent move below the psychologically important $10.00 threshold has triggered concerns about weakness there affecting other markets. The question of how soybeans could impact other markets is germane because the oilseed is facing larger and more rapid adjustment...

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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.

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