Data Users' Angst This year's USDA Data Users meeting was dominated by the impacts of the government shutdown. Private industry analysts were anxious to learn when and if the resulting holes in data sets would be filled, and frustrated government officials noted that it was the first time ever that a WASDE report was not issued. Last year's meeting was focused on fluctuations in month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter reporting, whereas some of the discussion this year was on how to reduce the dominance of speed trading at the moment when reports are issued. Some contend that trading should be stopped altogether at report release time, while others believe bonafide hedgers are already managing the situation by stepping out of the way of...

TAGS – Livestock, North America