Soy-Related Changes in USDA WASDE Report USDA somewhat surprised market analysts today by reducing the forecast for U.S. soybean production in 2019 by more than most expected to 3.845 billion bushels (104.64 MMT) from its June forecast of 4.15 billion bushels (112.95 MMT). This followed the decrease in the harvested area to 79.3 million acres from the previous estimate of 83.8 million acres based on the June crop plantings report. There could be another adjustment next month as a result of an ongoing survey of planted area in key soybean-producing states that had delayed planting because of wet weather. The average soybean yield forecast was also lowered by 1 bushel/acre to 48.5 bushels/acre (3.26 MT/hectare). The other significant change...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.