The EU has opened debate on the next (2020) iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy, and some want it to look more like U.S. policy. Topsy-Turvy Politics Traditional economic and foreign policy analysts are aghast that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement may not be approved by the U.S. Congress anytime soon. Traditional political analysts are appalled that Donald Trump has bested his Republican rivals and is now neck and neck against Hillary Clinton. Conventional economic and geopolitical analysts conclude that the United Kingdom and the EU would both be worse off should Brexit occur, yet today there are two Guardian/ICM polls showing that British voters favor it by a 52 to 48 margin. Everything from corn prices to exchange...
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.