USDA is initially forecasting Brazil’s and Argentina’s soybean harvested area in 2017 will increase by 900,000 hectares and 50,000 hectares, respectively. However, this is doubtful for several reasons. A Further Look at Soy Components in USDA May WASDE Report This month’s USDA WASDE report (released 10 May) surprised the trade with a large decrease in its U.S. 2015/16 soybean ending stocks projection. The drop from 445 million bushels to 400 million bushels resulted from increases of 35 million bushels in exports and 10 million bushels in domestic crush. While the forecast is still sizable, it is a clear signal that the trend is downward. If there is any significant shortfall in production this year in the U.S., China or India, world stoc...
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.