At the end of June, there were 97.335 million birds depopulated due to HPAI; more than 75 percent at 73.5 birds, were egg layers. So far this month according to USDA, two more operations in Colorado have depopulated another 3.1 million birds, first on 8 July (1.8 million) and the second on 16 July (1.3 million). Not surprisingly, egg inventory last week was down about 2.4 percent compared to the week prior, and prices are up. Today’s Chicken and Eggs report from USDA pegs layers on 1 July at 305 million head. But that number is certainly reduced given recent events. Moreover, the 1 July total was down only 1 million birds from the 1 June total and even with the May total, despite the culling of 4.3 million birds at the end of M...
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...
Key Takeaways: Drought remains a major threat to global agricultural production, particularly in regions with limited rainfall and growing water scarcity. Commercially available drought-tolerant traits in corn, soybeans, and wheat have generally delivered modest yield improvements, limiting th...
Key Takeaways: Peace at last in the Persian Gulf? Over the weekend, the U.S. announced and Iranian officials confirmed a peace agreement, with formal ratification set for Geneva on 19 June. The announcement means the Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen fully and toll-free within 30 days.&n...
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.