USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today, which was mostly in line with pre-report expectations; only placements came outside of the consensus forecast. 10252024dj.jpg 50.4 KBSeptember marks the beginning of the fall run for cattle placements. Placements last month at 2.156 million head were 176,000 head more than August, and above the pre-report expectations, though still below September 2023. 10252024dj2.jpg 42.31 KBThe market is focused on signs of any move toward herd rebuilding from this report. The moves were subtle but leaning toward at least some expansion. Of the total inventory on feed, there were 7 million steers, which was 101 percent of last year, and 4.6 million heifers which was 99 percent of last year. Mark...
What You Need to Know Today: Wheat prices surged after Ukrainian strikes on Russian vessels and infrastructure disrupted grain shipments, halting traffic through the Sea of Azov, Kerch Strait, and Black Sea. The July WASDE report offered a modestly supportive outlook for corn, wheat, and soybe...
The trade deficit in goods and services came in at $77.6 billion in May, slightly smaller than the consensus estimate of $78.4 billion. After a few months of relative stability, the trade deficit widened in May. The increase in the deficit for the month was due to both a rise in imports, which...
Every June combines begin their annual sweep across the winter wheat fields of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. At the same time, USDA releases its Acreage and Crop Progress reports, providing the first comprehensive look at the size and condition of the crop. Most years the reports simply confirm...
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.