Today was all about the WASDE and the lack of an anticipated bearish surprise from USDA sent the CBOT higher by the close. Near-term, it is likely that harvest lows have been forged in the corn and soybean markets. The key story from the WASDE was larger U.S. and world production and supplies for corn and soybeans and, to a lesser extent, wheat. USDA raised U.S. corn planted and harvested area and pegged a near-record yield of 176.3 BPA. Production is forecast at 14.996 billion bushels, just shy of the all-time high. USDA increased the soybean yield but lowered its harvested acreage estimate on drought in the western Corn Belt. Still, soybean production grew 35 Mbu and added 30 Mbu to ending stocks. Notably, USDA increased its forec...
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.