World Perspectives
feed-grains wheat livestock

The Politics of Corn

We used to refer to wheat as the "political grain." However, it seems to have now been replaced by corn, which by any measurement is the largest and most important crop grown in the U.S. and, for that matter, the world. We used to refer to wheat as the "political grain." From the 1960s through much of the 1990s, U.S. wheat growers were arguably the most politically influential group of agricultural producers in the U.S. Their strong influence over certain U.S. agricultural policies and politics as well as the process of creating the quadrennial farm bill was legendary. One reason for this was the historical status of wheat itself -- the first crop cultivated by humans in pre-historic times, and wheat's image as the "staff of life." Another...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Limping Home After a Dreary Week

Friday involved relatively lower volume and modest price changes as new inputs remain limited. And it wasn’t really due to the lack of USDA reports due to the shutdown since they may not have involved anything market moving. Harvest is progressing, competitors have ample supplies, and buy...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.19/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1525/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.18/bushel, down $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $278.6/short ton, down $0.7...

Competing Manufacturing Data

According to S&P Global, the US manufacturing sector grew for the fourth consecutive month in September. The U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers' index recorded 52 points in September, down from 53 a month prior and indicating a weaker rate of expansion of the manufacturing sector. A rea...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Limping Home After a Dreary Week

Friday involved relatively lower volume and modest price changes as new inputs remain limited. And it wasn’t really due to the lack of USDA reports due to the shutdown since they may not have involved anything market moving. Harvest is progressing, competitors have ample supplies, and buy...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.19/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1525/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.18/bushel, down $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $278.6/short ton, down $0.7...

Competing Manufacturing Data

According to S&P Global, the US manufacturing sector grew for the fourth consecutive month in September. The U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers' index recorded 52 points in September, down from 53 a month prior and indicating a weaker rate of expansion of the manufacturing sector. A rea...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Recent Market Volatility Increases Futures Mispricing

Following the recent shocks to the grain markets – the Grain Stocks report data and news that soybeans will be on the negotiating table when Presidents Trump and Xi meet next – many are wondering what happens next as far as commodity pricing goes. WPI certainly doesn’t have a...

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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.

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