Overnight trading volumes were not impressive, and this pattern continued during the day session. Noncommercial support sent soybean futures prices up 12 cents at session highs before they fell back to close 7.75-8.75 cents higher. General Comments Financial markets were shaken by this morning’s horrific terrorist attacks in Brussels where dozens were killed and many more injured. As usually happens in such circumstances, there was a flow of money into so-called safe investments such as gold and the U.S. dollar. COMEX gold was up more than $16 at one point before retreating thereafter to finish up only about $4. The U.S. Dollar Index was up about 37 points. U.S. stocks were little changed.Overnight grain and soy trade saw prices trade hig...
What You Need to Know Today: Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans continued to accelerate, with USDA reporting another 558 KMT sold to China and 236 KMT to unknown destinations. Combined with sales announced Wednesday and Thursday, the latest purchases bring the three-day total to approximately...
As fall begins, wild migratory birds are starting their seasonal migration. That has the industry and government officials worried about the potential spread, again, of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Some members of Congress have called for the United States to be prepared for a pote...
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.