World Perspectives

30,000-Foot View: Technology, Politics and Policy

A good topic for Friday is the big picture outlook of what is on the horizon, the so-called “30,000-foot view” so named because that is the cruising altitude of airliners, and a particularly appropriate metaphor as much of the farm belt is often referred to as “fly over” country between the coasts. We’ve picked three broad categories to watch between now and the next farm bill. Ag technology: The building of vertical, indoor, urban and/or controlled environment grow facilities started as a coastal thing. These facilities are indoor, hydroponic, often automated with IT and robotics, and largely focused on lettuce and leafy greens (the only crops practical with the initial state of the technology). Think of the...

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Market Commentary: Cattle Retreat on Import News; Corn Posts New Lows on Midwest Rains

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Feeder Cattle Import Update

As summer demand for beef is upon us, fed cattle hit $233 per cwt yesterday, having moved above $200 per cwt in April on tight supplies. The cattle herd as of 1 January was the smallest in more than 50 years, imports of feeder cattle from Mexico have been suspended due to the New World Screwwor...

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With the June Acreage and Grain Stocks reports past, the CBOT resumed trading its favorite variable for the peak of summer – weather. For Tuesday’s trade, this meant a focus on five-year highs in corn ratings and an excellent outlook for the crop into mid-July at least, which were t...

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livestock

Feeder Cattle Import Update

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Prop 12 Lives, Long Live Prop 12; Power of Ag; Trump Power

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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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