As WPI reported on 26 March (see here), HPAI was discovered as the “mystery illness” affecting dairy cows in Texas and Kansas, and then New Mexico, and yesterday Matt Herrington noted that the cases of HPAI have spread Michigan and Idaho. As USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) noted in an alert, “this is a rapidly evolving situation.” This is the beginning of the wild bird migratory season, where birds interact with livestock, such as through water tanks, feed bunks, and nesting in barn rafters. However, non-migratory birds, including pigeons, blackbirds, and grackles were found dead on the dairy farms affected in Texas. Moreover, according to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the M...
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.