Soy Planting Substantially Delayed in Brazil A late beginning of the rainy season in Brazil continues to delay the planting of soybeans in Brazil. The firm Safras & Mercado reports only 0.9 percent of the planned area of soybeans had been planted in Brazil as of 27 September. That compares with 4.9 percent a year ago and the 5-year average of 2.3 percent. In Mato Grosso, the largest soybean producing state, only 1 percent of soybeans had been planted versus 5 percent a year ago. It remains dry in most of Mato Grosso where plantings are expected to reach 2 percent by the end of this week. More rainfall has been received this week in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and much of Parana. In Parana, the second-largest soybean pr...
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.