Waiting for Boeing Despite early warnings that a counter-retaliation was in the works, the EU has decided not to strike back against the U.S. over the Airbus case and the new U.S. tariffs on the aero industry and agricultural imports from Europe. Instead, the EU is confident it will win its pending case against the U.S. regarding government support for Boeing, so the EU’s plan now is to wait until the Boeing case is concluded later in 2019 and then levy tariffs on U.S. products. It is safe to assume ag commodities will be included. Breaking Amber Caps This fall the U.S. (as required of all WTO member countries) will eventually have to notify the WTO of its farm support spending total for 2018 and 2019, as we...
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.