Grain and soy markets traded rather quietly on both sides of Wednesday’s closes overnight, but action picked up during the day session, at least in terms of volume if not price action. General Comments Grain and soy markets traded rather quietly on both sides of Wednesday’s closes overnight, but action picked up during the day session, at least in terms of volume if not price action. The closing bell had soybeans and soyoil finishing a bit higher, KC wheat closing about unchanged, and corn and Chicago wheat finishing slightly lower. Obviously, traders were looking ahead to tomorrow’s WASDE, but today’s weekly export sales report from USDA/FAS also commanded attention. A large volume of sales had been anticipated, but it exceeded expectati...
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.