World Perspectives
wheat

Thinking Positive

Heat waves are on everyone’s mind, and while we lack the expertise to accurately predict the impact of climate change on agricultural production, history offers some interesting observations. The Medieval Warm Period between 750 and 1350 AD involved an unusual temperature rise that melted glaciers and led to a revolution in European agriculture. There was also less moisture. Crop yields tripled and the farms of Northern Europe outperformed their Mediterranean counterparts. Three-field crop rotation along with other agricultural technologies developed.  Winter grains previously turned into whisky or beer were replaced with grapes and increased wine making. However, warming in the modern era has a different market situation. Globa...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.365/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.095/bushel, down $0.1125 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6275/bushel, down $0.09 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $302.4/short ton, down $1...

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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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