Argentine Soybean Crop Forecast Drops In its 23 February issue, Oil World reduced its forecast for Argentina’s 2018 soybean crop to 43 MMT or less. However, it indicated that this could fall as low as 40 MMT if needed rainfall does not occur in the next seven to 10 days. This is the lowest estimate released thus far. Weather forecasters are expecting some rainfall over parts of Argentina this week. Specifically, a spokesperson for Argentina’s Applied Climatology, a consulting firm, yesterday predicted about 15 millimeters (0.59 inches) of rain are likely to fall today and tomorrow in the provinces of Cordoba, Santa Fe, Entre Rios and northern Buenos Aires. However, the rainfall is not guaranteed, and such a small amount is unl...
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.