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: 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...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4075/bushel, down $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.2925/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.7675/bushel, down $0.1675 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $302.5/short ton, up...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

U.S. Export Sales and Shipments for the week ending Nov 13, 2025...

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...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4075/bushel, down $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.2925/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.7675/bushel, down $0.1675 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $302.5/short ton, up...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

U.S. Export Sales and Shipments for the week ending Nov 13, 2025...

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry-bulk markets were softer last week with Capesize markets seeing weaker interest from East Australia and other Pacific locales. Traders are describing spot tonnage in the Pacific as “abundant”, a mentality that is pressuring rates. Similarly, demand for C3 ex Brazil and West Afri...

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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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