Soybeans Brazil The market was quiet last week as the Chinese were not actively buying and instead waited for basis to fall after rising for the past several weeks. It was further slowed by the lack of selling by Brazilian farmers. Their selling interest was quelled by the real’s recent rise from 3.88 reals/USD to 4.08 within a few weeks as well as the completion of the soybean harvest. Farmers have now turned their attention to the safrinha corn harvest, which means they no longer need space or logistics for soybeans. Farmers will likely become more interested in selling new crop soybeans as they have finished marketing the old crop. Brazil’s soybean production was large this past year, although it was not record high. With...
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.