Farm Labor Competitiveness: Politicians in Washington have begun rallying around the concept of finally enacting immigration reform. The bipartisan Senate concept would provide an expedited path to U.S. citizenship for two groups: individuals who entered the country illegally, and farm workers. The argument made by supporters is that farm workers are essential for food and economic security and this group should be given priority treatment. Perhaps, but once this labor pool is on track to citizenship, it is likely to raise labor wage demands. Moreover, full American citizens have shown little interest in farm work, so this initiative will likely reduce the pool of farm workers.Add to the citizenship impacts the analysis in a recent editio...
What You Need to Know Today: U.S. weather is getting more attention this week as conditions vary greatly across the western, central, and eastern corn belts, with the different regions battling dryness and too much rain simultaneously. The ProFarmer Crop Tour began today in Indiana and Nebrask...
Key Takeaways: Argentina is on pace for a record corn crop and record exports in the current marketing year, with abundant supplies likely to keep the country highly competitive in global export markets. Argentina’s record exportable surplus is allowing it to offer highly competitive pri...
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.