World Perspectives
farm-inputs

USA Land Use Changes

The acres used for crops in the U.S. peaked in 1981 when farm income was low and farmers tried to make up for it by expanding production. The acres used for crops in 2022 was 14.7 percent fewer and the share of cropland successfully harvested had risen slightly to 85 percent.  While the number of acres planted and then considered failed in production peaked during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930’s, failed acres in 2002 were the highest since 2002. Notably, the number of acres double cropped has not increased with the higher crop values in recent years. The marginal returns may not offset the cost of inputs and soil sustainability.  For similar reasons like the loss of nitrogen and soil moisture, the amount of summer...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grain Futures Buying Demand; Livestock Futures Buying Time

Bears were in control of the CBOT again on Monday with technical pressure and bearish fundamental headlines driving prices lower. Soybeans and wheat were the downside leaders for the day as funds accelerated their exit from long positions in these markets amid the chart weakness. Corn futures s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3975/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.2075/bushel, down $0.085 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.7175/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $303.5/short ton, up $1 fr...

Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Early Details

The USDA will base the $12 billion in farmer payments it recently announced under the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program on 2025 planted acreage. The department announced that acreage reports, as of 19 December, by 5 p.m., should be “accurate.” Payment rates will be announced th...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grain Futures Buying Demand; Livestock Futures Buying Time

Bears were in control of the CBOT again on Monday with technical pressure and bearish fundamental headlines driving prices lower. Soybeans and wheat were the downside leaders for the day as funds accelerated their exit from long positions in these markets amid the chart weakness. Corn futures s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3975/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.2075/bushel, down $0.085 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.7175/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $303.5/short ton, up $1 fr...

Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Early Details

The USDA will base the $12 billion in farmer payments it recently announced under the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program on 2025 planted acreage. The department announced that acreage reports, as of 19 December, by 5 p.m., should be “accurate.” Payment rates will be announced th...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bear, Bear, Every Where a Bear

Today was National Poinsettia Day, a plant that is supposed to symbolize goodwill and success but that is only true for the bears today.  There was red all over Chicago and New York as investors counted their blessings of too much grain and too much risk. The only thing rising in value was...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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