World Perspectives
feed-grains energy

Oil and Agriculture

An oil war has begun between Saudi Arabia and Russia and its impacts are important for agriculture. Energy products are key inputs, affecting field work costs, fertilizer prices and ultimately marketing. The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) had predicted an average oil price in 2020 of around $61/barrel; today, futures were down at one point to around half that level.  EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook for February, which it says, “reflects both the effects of the coronavirus and warmer-than-normal January temperatures across much of the northern hemisphere,” did not reflect a price war. It called for prices to rise this year and average $68/barrel in 2021. Markets are global and commodities are fungible but even...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.455/bushel, up $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.2475/bushel, up $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.7775/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $291.9/short ton, down $1.4 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Tax Credit Hopes Bouy Soyoil; Wheat Gains on Weather; Cattle Turn Bearish

Weather and Congressional tax policy were at the forefront of futures traders’ minds on Wednesday and these two factors drove much of the day’s price action. The weather outlooks – favorable for the Corn Belt and dry for the Southern Plains, Europe, and Black Sea – creat...

Pesticide Assault; WTO Attacks U.S.; African Future

Pesticide Assault The Wall Street Journal reported that RFK, Jr.’s intent to ban all pesticides is running into opposition from other officials in the Trump Administration. His critics worry that removing pesticides will drive up food costs and know that inflation is a key consumer concer...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.455/bushel, up $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.2475/bushel, up $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.7775/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $291.9/short ton, down $1.4 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Tax Credit Hopes Bouy Soyoil; Wheat Gains on Weather; Cattle Turn Bearish

Weather and Congressional tax policy were at the forefront of futures traders’ minds on Wednesday and these two factors drove much of the day’s price action. The weather outlooks – favorable for the Corn Belt and dry for the Southern Plains, Europe, and Black Sea – creat...

Pesticide Assault; WTO Attacks U.S.; African Future

Pesticide Assault The Wall Street Journal reported that RFK, Jr.’s intent to ban all pesticides is running into opposition from other officials in the Trump Administration. His critics worry that removing pesticides will drive up food costs and know that inflation is a key consumer concer...

wheat

Wheat Problem Areas

As noted yesterday, global wheat consumption has been growing faster than the expansion in production. Sometimes it takes non-agricultural researchers to look at an issue in a different way. Petroleum engineers at the Colorado School of Mines studied global areas where the loss of sub-surface s...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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