World Perspectives
soy-oilseeds livestock energy

Brainstorming without USDA

It takes something like the current partial shutdown of the U.S. government to make those involved with agricultural markets realize how much we depend on the stream of data from USDA. The regularity of things like export sales reports, livestock reports, and estimates of production, supplies and demand are taken for granted without recognizing the amount of time, effort and expertise USDA personnel put into them. As the current blackout shows, though, the information USDA provides every day tests our own thinking, defend us from our own assumptions and biases, and is a reminder that agriculture is in a constant state of flux. While trying to make do without USDA, following are some thoughts about ag markets in general and the soybean marke...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1925/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.27/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, up $0.3 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Ending on a Sour Note

The weak jobs report sent most economic indices lower, except for gold. The dollar slumped lower despite the increased likelihood of interest rate cuts. Corn, soybeans and some wheat contract teased higher at the start of the session but they couldn’t hold. There was yet another new contr...

livestock

Post-Labor Day Look at Pork and Beef Markets

With Labor Day behind us, here is a look at the meat market going into fall. Total hog slaughter for last week was estimated at 2.391 million head, 1.5 percent lower than a year ago, making this the 15th consecutive week below year ago levels. Seasonal national average weights are starting to t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1925/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.27/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, up $0.3 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Ending on a Sour Note

The weak jobs report sent most economic indices lower, except for gold. The dollar slumped lower despite the increased likelihood of interest rate cuts. Corn, soybeans and some wheat contract teased higher at the start of the session but they couldn’t hold. There was yet another new contr...

livestock

Post-Labor Day Look at Pork and Beef Markets

With Labor Day behind us, here is a look at the meat market going into fall. Total hog slaughter for last week was estimated at 2.391 million head, 1.5 percent lower than a year ago, making this the 15th consecutive week below year ago levels. Seasonal national average weights are starting to t...

feed-grains

WPI U.S. State Corn Yield and Production Forecasts

The size and yield potential of the 2025 U.S. corn crop is of increasing debate and importance with the USDA’s September WASDE – and, more importantly, grain harvest – just around the corner. Much of the focus of recent discussions has been the impact of dryness across parts o...

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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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