Markets were quiet overnight in very light trading volume. Everything started the Sunday evening session slightly lower, but wheat moved to small gains early this morning when French wheat futures opened higher. Among the factors impacting the markets this week will be USDA’s release of its corn and soybean production estimates along with supply/demand revisions (WASDE) on Wednesday; President Trump’s continuing escalation of the trade issues with China by threatening more tariffs; and little change in world weather forecasts. It remains dry in Australia, the Black Sea and most of Europe. Meanwhile, frost was reported across some of China’s key corn and soybean growing areas. In the U.S., Hurricane Florence will hit south...
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.
Given yesterday’s headlines, today’s market action may not be what many expected. The dollar is little changed, crude oil is pulling back and stocks are trading higher. Crude may be the biggest piece of today’s reversal. Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude to Asian buyer...
Key Takeaways: Managed money is holding more than one million net-long contracts across agricultural markets, with corn, soybeans, and soymeal all reaching record net-long positions in September. Fundamental concerns surrounding yields, supplies, and global availability have helped justify the...
Under an Executive Order on 4 September, USDA announced $50 million in new funding to help states establish or expand meat and poultry inspection programs as part of an effort to increase processing options for livestock producers. It’s called the Stand-Up Program, which will help states...