World Perspectives

Jokes and Me; Silly Tariffs; Stress Equals Pause

Jokes on Me On 18 October we chided WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (DG) for seeking to instead lead the World Social Organization. The WTO is failing to move forward on trade issues and so she is trying to use potentially stronger interest in tangential topics like climate change/sustainability and EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) to leverage change in trade policy. We were not alone. South American and Asian envoys complained that the DG was advancing transatlantic proposals and wading into topics unrelated to trade and already being managed by other international organizations. She needs to focus on the Doha agenda topics already agreed to by consensus.  In truth, even the Doha agenda has by consensus been hijacked...

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Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.255/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.6475/bushel, down $0.0475 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soybeans closed at $9.835/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close. Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $289.2/short ton, up $1.5 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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WPI Quarterly Grain Balance Sheet Forecasts

The latest updates and model runs from WPI’s grain balance sheet and pricing forecasts show that corn and wheat are likely to see stronger-than-expected demand that should create upside potential for cash and futures markets. Conversely, soybeans are expected to see weaker demand (particularly...

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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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