Monthly Summary April Activity Shows Market Volatility Easing Post Shutdown The novel coronavirus outbreak and lengthy shutdown across China sent the futures markets to new heights in terms of trading activity during the first four months of 2020. For the first quarter, only No. 2 soybeans and cornstarch saw their year-on-year totals for volume, turnover, and open interest decline. The other major commodities, including No.1 soybeans, corn, egg, soymeal, refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm olein, and soyoil were up by double and triple digits. Through April, the year-on-year trends continued, but on a monthly basis the pace either slowed or decreased. Of the aforementioned commodities, egg, RBD palm olein, No.1 soybeans, and...
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...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on 1 July. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
The CBOT/CME markets and our offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday, 19 June in observance of the U.S. Juneteenth holiday. Please note that the next Ag Perspectives will be published on Monday, 22 June. ...
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.