August has so far not been very kind to commodity markets, though it’s not as much the month’s fault as it is the fault of improved weather forecasts. CBOT futures were sharply lower on Wednesday and the mid-week weakness came despite another Russian attack on Ukrainian grain infrastructure. Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine’s inland port of Izmail on the Danube River, which damaged a grain silo just across the river from NATO member Romania. That initially sent CBOT markets higher but traders and algos quickly returned to selling on the outlook for improved rains and cooler temperatures for the U.S. Midwest in the next two weeks. The prospect for improved corn and soybean yields kept the major ag markets on the defensive...
What You Need to Know Today: Iran warned that it will retaliate against the U.S. if American strikes target Iranian infrastructure, as President Trump has threatened to do next week if negotiations between the two nations do not resume. President Trump is scheduled to deliver a primetime addre...
Turkeys for Thanksgiving are typically placed this month. Turkey production has suffered from HPAI and other diseases for the past two years, and placements are still down overall. However, at more than 34 pounds per bird, overall production is being supported by heavier weights and increased p...
Key Takeaways: Continued domestic demand for soyoil in the U.S. will drive prices higher and create a firmer outlook for global soybean values and crush margins. U.S. soyoil prices are set to increase 13-16 percent over the next four months as the domestic demand expansion takes hold. Th...
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.