World Perspectives

Fiscal Policy Post Election

Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. election, policymaking in 2025 and beyond will play out in an environment shaped by the federal budget deficit and national debt. The current state of fiscal policy has been exacerbated by federal spending related to the COVID recovery response.    As it stands, under the projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) the federal budget deficit in 2024 will come in at $1.9 trillion, which is 7 percent of GDP. That compares to the 3.7 percent GDP deficits have averaged over the past 50 years. Federal debt as measured against GDP is 99 percent this year. In short, the U.S. government owes nearly as much money to creditors as there is money in the entire U.S. economy. Moreover, debt is f...

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Market Commentary: Calm for the Day but Geopolitics Hint at Looming Volatility

The CBOT was solidly in the red on Wednesday while cattle futures regained some of their former strength. Markets had to process multiple headlines at the national/international political level, which led to some mild risk-off trade. Mostly, however, for grains, the looming WASDE dominated the...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.17/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.15/bushel, down $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.2525/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.8/short ton, down $3.2...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Calm for the Day but Geopolitics Hint at Looming Volatility

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Wheat from the Chaff An agricultural meeting in Arkansas last week drew 400 to 500 farmers, a much larger group than expected at harvest time. They vented their angst over low commodity prices, high input costs, and consequently low profitability. One estimate from bankers is that farm bankrupt...

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Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.17/bushel, down $0.0275 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.15/bushel, down $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.2525/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.8/short ton, down $3.2...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 10 September)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

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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.

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