More than 50 years after direct genetic modification was first identified, and nearly three decades after GMO crop production began in the U.S., it is still a controversial technology in many parts of the world. Opposition to GMO’s remains strong in Africa where just four countries have approved the technology. The effort to adopt a pest resistant and drought tolerant maize in Nigeria remains stifled by groups making outlandish claims about harm from GMO’s. The Nigerian maize yield is less than a fifth that of the U.S., and it has the highest rate child stunting in the world. Yet opponents prevail in blocking the technology. In the U.S., most of the corn, soybean and cotton crops are genetically modified. Opponents have n...
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.