Monsanto today announced it has suspended sale of future biotech soybean technologies in Argentina because of recent, disappointing discussions with the government concerning its ability to collect royalties there on its patented soybean variety. NOPA’s April Soy Crush Volume The volume of soybeans crushed by members of the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) declined in April to 147.614 million bushels (4.02 MMT) from 156.69 million bushels (4.26 MMT) in March. It was also below the 150.363 million bushels (4.09 MMT) crushed in March 2015 but very close to 147.704 million bushels (4.02 MMT, the average forecast of analysts queried by Reuters.The NOPA crush report indicated the association’s members had 1.9427 billion pounds (8...
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...
Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes. The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...
Key Market Insights Macro markets delivered a full whipsaw today. Early in the session, crude oil had rallied back above $100/barrel as traders priced renewed concern over the U.S.-Iran standoff and potential supply risk through the Strait of Hormuz. That strength helped pull grains off their o...
Illuminating the value of technical research
On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.