DRC Projects Corn Imports Could Reach 20 MMT by 2020 A researcher with the State Council Development Research Center (DRC) projects that China's corn production will increasingly fall short of demand, with imports projected to reach 20 MMT based on current trends. Speaking at the 22 March 7th JC Intelligence Co. Feed Raw Materials Seminar in Hainan, Cheng Guoqiang pointed to soaring use of corn for industrial purposes as the primary driver in the rising grain shortfall, noting that use by processors (mainly for starch and ethanol) has risen 40 percent in just three years to an estimated 45-50 MMT.The remarks are a continuation of DRC's message in recent months that rising corn imports may have negative consequences for market stability and...
Illuminating the value of technical research
On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.
Key Takeaways: President Trump announced $8 billion in additional agricultural assistance through the Harvest Fuel Relief Program, as USDA projects farm fuel and oil expenses will increase 28.8 percent in 2026. The package follows $12 billion in earlier relief, while government farm payments w...
Beef packer margins deteriorated to $141/head last week, down $55 from the prior week as fed cattle prices strengthened while the Choice cutout remained nearly unchanged. The cutout held near $373/cwt while fed cattle prices climbed $4/cwt to $224/cwt, narrowing processor profits. Despite the d...
Russian Grain Markets: 12–16 October 2026 During the week in review, the Russian grain market began recovering after an extended decline driven largely by Black Sea logistics bottlenecks, a good crop and weaker global demand in traditional Russian markets. Russia is beginning to harvest c...