Corn futures contracts traded quietly in a range of less than 5 cents before closing mostly higher by 2 cents or less. This seems to suggest that traders think they have the corn stocks number pretty well nailed down and that it will not be a market mover. General Comments The last full day of trading before USDA releases its 1 September quarterly stocks estimates and final small grains report at noon (EDT) tomorrow was relatively quiet and subdued. The grains and soy complex all traded both sides before soybeans and corn closed slightly higher, while all three wheat markets finished lower. Much of today's activity seemed to involve positioning ahead of the reports, but the price action seemed to indicate that traders were not inspired to...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Inflation is back in the driver’s seat, and agriculture is getting pulled in two directions. A stronger dollar is pressuring grains despite fresh Chinese buying, while renewed Middle East attacks lift crude oil. Higher energy prices can support commodities, but they also raise expenses an...
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.