Policy Turbulence Markets reacted today to the political uncertainty in Italy, but there are plenty of economic policy threats to go around. Some say that economically-challenged countries living under the burden of a high-valued euro is just one of the problems. Brexit was prompted in part by the EU’s micromanagement, and the British are not alone in feeling frustrated by it. The latest is a proposal to ban plastic straws. Increased subsidiarity under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is an effort to lessen that burden, but it has its own objectors. While political turbulence in Europe is not new, an American president throwing multiple spanners into the works is a new and added burden. The trade war with China was on, then...
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.