The CBOT traded a rather uninspiring day to end the week, with corn and the soy complex largely chopping sideways. Wheat traded a mixed day early with the lack of USDA confirmation of wheat sales to China weighing on early market action. Technical buying firmed the wheat market heading into the close, however, as bullish chart conditions kept bears sidelined. The Pro Farmer tour posted its state-wide average yield estimate for Iowa this morning, which came in at 177.8 BPA. The reduction was expected due to drought in the western part of the state and hurricane force winds last week. The yield will be Iowa’s lowest, if realized, since 2014. The tour also announced the Minnesota corn yield at 195.1 BPA, which would be a record hi...
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.