Trade, the Election and the Future Renegotiating trade agreements and improving citizen understanding are necessary public policy goals. The Importance of Free Trade Agreements to Livestock More than most other commodities, red meat is subject to trade restrictions around the globe. However, free trade agreements (FTAs) have circumvented or eliminated many traditional barriers and benefitted exporting nations. U.S. Soy Sector and Free Trade Agreements The U.S. has benefitted from free trade agreements, particularly those with Morocco and Colombia. The soy sector has also enjoyed some growth in exports to several of the signatory countries. Commodity Market Review There are several factors involved in the resounding rally in soybean,...
What You Need to Know Today: Corn and soybeans were under heavy selling pressure as weaker (or at least as-expected) export demand runs into an accelerating harvest pace with more grain available in the spot market. Corn and soybean harvest progress remains below average across the U.S., espec...
Key Takeaways: Brazil confirmed a Newcastle disease outbreak at a commercial turkey farm in Santa Catarina on 18 October, raising concerns about potential disruptions to poultry exports despite the outbreak being confined to a single facility thus far. Mexico and Malaysia have imposed nationwi...
Yesterday, Alberta held a referendum on whether to begin the process toward independence from Canada. With more than one million votes counted as of early Tuesday morning, around 77 percent supported remaining in Canada, and 23 percent voted to start the process of separation, according to unof...
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.