Grain and soy markets are well into the waiting game for Friday’s USDA reports, and this shows up in the form of light volume and limited price action that was apparent again during overnight trade. However, a few trends persist. Grain prices continue to gain against soybeans, and soyoil continues to gain against soymeal. The grain versus soybean trend seems to assume another large South American soybean crop. This would likely be vulnerable if perceptions of weather-reduced soybean production develop. The soyoil versus soymeal trend reflects the expected larger draw on U.S. soyoil supplies as domestic biodiesel production expands to replace imports in meeting Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements. While more stand-alone, that so...
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...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
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.