Killing CBAM European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmerman says that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism would not apply to Japan due to that country’s green measures. He then mentioned discussions with the U.S. on coordinating such measures. While the Biden Administration has mentioned support for a border carbon tax, they have not made it a part of the gargantuan $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. In fact, given the spike in energy prices, it is now politically unpalatable to further raise the cost of conventional energy. Africa specialist Uri Dadush of the Policy Center for the New South argues that the EU’s CBAM is likely to do more harm than good. He says the fact that Brussels has only designat...
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.