The CBOT saw strong, active trade to start the holiday-shortened trading week with the soy complex leading the way higher after frosts developed in Argentina. The cold weather was not what the country’s producers wanted to see and cast even more doubts on this year’s crop. The frosts will similarly threaten the late corn crop, a fact which sent CBOT corn futures higher for the day. Of the major grain markets, wheat was the only laggard and was punished by a wicked combination of fund selling and bear corn/wheat and soy/wheat spreading. One factor to watch this week is the fact that March options expire on Friday. That may drive price action heading into the expiration. Notably, there is substantial open interest in corn options...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on 1 July. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
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.