This is the first of a three-part special series of reports from WPI’s analysts in Ukraine. The first installment looks at what the war’s impact on agriculture looks like at this juncture. The second article to be posted tomorrow focuses on the sector’s prospects for production this spring and summer. The third and final report on Friday will focus on Russia itself. We are grateful that for the most part our analysts have remained safe, but we also know that the risks rise over time. Russia’s Methodology It is not rumor but fact that Russian troops are in a destructive mood. They have destroyed farms and there are gruesome pictures of dairy cows that have been unnecessarily shot with machine guns. There...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
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.