Soybeans took control again last night and today, trading sharply higher. No one could pinpoint the reasons for the big strength, although the daily export sales announcements are certainly one. Meanwhile, some of today’s session commentaries pointed towards weather as another.There has been a great deal of outside interference in the grain and oilseed markets since the Brexit vote sent world financial and currency markets into turmoil last Friday, 24 June. The U.S. dollar has been soaring as the pound has collapsed. Equity markets have also come crashing down, and even crude oil was negatively impacted. The risk-off mentality was back in full swing.Grain and oilseed markets reacted badly on Friday as some of the fund length in corn and soy...
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.