CBOT grains posted slight gains for the day while the soy complex worked its way lower as traders unwound long grain/short soy spreads that were placed last week. Wheat moved higher on news that Russia will not allow the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea unless NATO suspends its economic sanctions, a move NATO will not entertain as it is practically the only non-military option it has to counter Russia’s aggression. The diplomatic stalemate means the world is still short wheat and grain, which put a bid under futures for the day. Trading volume was generally quiet, and funds were seemingly content to hold existing positions or exit recently acquired ones while waiting for additional news on fundamental developments, like Chi...
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.