Some of the bearish pressure on the market is said to be coming from the uncertainties associated with COVID-19, though there are now more knowns than a few weeks ago. One known known is that low or negative interest rates from the Fed will not address unemployment in sectors that are intentionally shut down by the government for being non-essential. Also known is that any recovery involves a boost in gasoline use and thus ethanol, which is already occurring as states open up. Even more un-bearish is the fact that mass transit will remain perceived as unsafe and this even more ethanol sucking by automobiles. The weather is mostly fine, and that is bearish. By this Sunday, 80 percent of the U.S. corn crop will be planted and 60 percen...
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.