Scientists Discover Gene Controlling Resistance to Cyst Nematode in Soybeans The cyst nematode is the most costly pest that impacts soybean yields in the United States. The minute worm-like organism reduces yields and is credited with reducing U.S. farmer income from soybeans by at least $1 billion annually. Because cyst nematode eggs hatch over a decade, it is not possible to eradicate the pest by rotations with other crops.Scientists at several Midwestern universities have identified a gene or a combination of genes in soybeans that creates a resistance to the cyst nematode. The genes cause the soybean plant to produce an enzyme that either starves nematodes or creates a natural pesticide that kills them. Identification of the genes sh...
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...
Tomorrow is the Juneteenth federal holiday, and the USDA, along with the rest of the federal government and the CME, will be closed, so the monthly Cattle on Feed report was released a day early. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity on 1 June amounted...
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.