The CBOT was relatively calm on Friday despite the ongoing meltdown in macroeconomic markets. Corn traded both sides of unchanged before ending fractionally lower while wheat futures pushed lower in “give up” selling after the markets failed to do much this week. The soy complex was again the upside leader with soybeans and soymeal taking the lead while soyoil stumbled lower. Fresh news was light for the day and there was a definite sense that traders are exiting positions and are more focused on Christmas shopping than trading. Only the cattle and hog markets managed to elicit much excitement to end the week, but hogs did so in brilliant fashion with a $4+ rally. The South American weather remains concerning for the Arge...
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.