While it is difficult to assess the impact of weather on Brazil's overall crop production at this point in time, it is safe to say that it will be difficult to reach the current soybean production estimate there and that corn's is likely too high as well.We’ve commented recently about the apparent disconnect between the mainstream weather reports from Brazil compared to actual reports received from clients actually farming there. For most of the past two months, the daily weather summaries have simply said “weather in Brazil is good for crop development.” Meanwhile, farmers in central and northeast Brazil have been talking about extreme drought coupled with very hot temperatures. Another conversation with a client in Brazil earlier th...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
Key Market Insights Geopolitical Limbo: Geopolitical risk remained a key driver across global commodity markets today. President Trump stated that the Iran memorandum of understanding is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. Both sides continue w...
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.