The Market If it is better to be lucky than good, it is better to close higher even if only barely. July soybeans rose a half-penny this week or 0.04 percent and ended at 1179.75/bushel. In the same vein, July soyoil gained 5/100 of a penny or 0.1 percent in value to end the week at 43.68/pound. Soymeal remains the darling, adding $7.70 or 2.1 percent to hold value at 368.4/ST. Three days of flash sales with over 300 KMT of old soybeans designated to China or unknown no doubt helped. U.S. beans got another boost from a Brazilian tax penalty that made North American supplies more attractive. A good start to the growing season applies downward pressure but speculators will quickly reduce their net short position if it stays hot and dry the r...
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.