It was a mixed day with most of the volume and bullishness occurring in the soy complex as grains counted their losses. It didn’t help that export sales were underwhelming, and some bears are now holding out hope for a so-called Santa Clause rally to end the year on a cheerier note. Actually, the gift of stronger markets and prices is ahead in 2020 and beyond, at least if one adds up such sentiments. For example, • Argentine weather is still iffy, and if there is inadequate rain within the next couple of weeks, it could get ugly. • The supply of wheat is large, but so is demand and smaller crops are being reported in Australia, Russia and elsewhere. • Mexico’s corn imports are forecast to grow by 14 percent in...
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.