World Perspectives

Bankers’ Views Going into Final USDA Reports

The agriculture sector is generally optimistic about 2020 based on a new trade deal with Japan in place on New Year’s Day, the progress of the USMCA, and the apparent deal struck with China. Weather is not likely to get worse, but the sheer volume of water means it will take a dry spring to get back to normal.   Which raises the question: “what is normal?”  Most economic overviews show the steady drop in farm income since the high mark of 2012, and an increase in farm debt over the same period. For example:   • From 2012 to 2017, the farm sector saw the largest multiyear decline in net cash income in percentage terms since the 1970s. • Farm sector debt is again near peak levels of the...

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farm-inputs

Phosphate and Potash Added to Critical Minerals List

The Department of the Interior has added phosphate and potash, two key fertilizer ingredients, to the official Critical Minerals List. They are part of 60 minerals deemed vital to the U.S. economy and national security, with 10 of those being newly listed, that face potential risks from disrupt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pre-Weekend Bounce on a Mixed Week

Outside markets continued their downbeat on Friday but ag futures had a few recoveries from yesterday’s trouncing.  Corn closed lower for the day and the week.  The soy complex closed optimistically for the day but had a mixed week. Winter wheat closed lower on the day and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2725/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2775/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.17/bushel, up $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $317.1/short ton, up $4.4 f...

farm-inputs

Phosphate and Potash Added to Critical Minerals List

The Department of the Interior has added phosphate and potash, two key fertilizer ingredients, to the official Critical Minerals List. They are part of 60 minerals deemed vital to the U.S. economy and national security, with 10 of those being newly listed, that face potential risks from disrupt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pre-Weekend Bounce on a Mixed Week

Outside markets continued their downbeat on Friday but ag futures had a few recoveries from yesterday’s trouncing.  Corn closed lower for the day and the week.  The soy complex closed optimistically for the day but had a mixed week. Winter wheat closed lower on the day and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2725/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2775/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.17/bushel, up $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $317.1/short ton, up $4.4 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Crop Balance Sheet Forecasts

Ahead of next week’s USDA’s Crop Production and WASDE reports, WPI offers our latest projections for the corn, soybean, and wheat balance sheets. The key findings from this effort are that corn and soybean supplies are set to expand on upward yield revisions. Too, demand for corn an...

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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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