World Perspectives

Over-greening Bees; China versus Labor; Farm Policy

Over-greening Bees In 2018 we were all warned that a third or more of our food supply was being threatened by the struggles facing bees. Europe focused on insect pollinator health, including banning (with exceptions of course) neonicotinoid pesticides as a threat to pollinators. American researchers became focused on Colony Collapse Disorder. Pesticides, parasites, loss of habitat and climate change were all blamed for killing bees and thus the food supply.  Now the New York Times reports that conservationists are trying and mostly failing to combat this widespread belief that honey bees are in danger. The notion that bees were threatened sparked a growth industry for bee colonies that now are threatening other pollinator species. Sc...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Today was Green but Headwinds for the Week

Corn, soymeal, live cattle and lean hogs all traded lower during the morning start but by the end of the day, only lean hogs ended lower. There were modest volumes being traded on Friday for most contracts, except feeder cattle where it was nearly double the five-day average.December soymeal hi...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for November 1-7, 2024. Wheat: Net sales of 380,100 metric tons (MT) for 2024/2025 were up 1 percent from the previous week, but down 17 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 301,300 MT were up 27 percent from the previous week and 5 percent...

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Cow-Calf Margins Steady in November, Herd Expansion Still Likely

Despite recent decreases in feeder cattle futures and rising feedstuff costs, estimated cow-calf producer margins are largely unchanged from WPI’s October estimate. The stable and positive financial environment means that producers are still facing strong financial incentives to expand the U.S...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Today was Green but Headwinds for the Week

Corn, soymeal, live cattle and lean hogs all traded lower during the morning start but by the end of the day, only lean hogs ended lower. There were modest volumes being traded on Friday for most contracts, except feeder cattle where it was nearly double the five-day average.December soymeal hi...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for November 1-7, 2024. Wheat: Net sales of 380,100 metric tons (MT) for 2024/2025 were up 1 percent from the previous week, but down 17 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 301,300 MT were up 27 percent from the previous week and 5 percent...

livestock

Cow-Calf Margins Steady in November, Herd Expansion Still Likely

Despite recent decreases in feeder cattle futures and rising feedstuff costs, estimated cow-calf producer margins are largely unchanged from WPI’s October estimate. The stable and positive financial environment means that producers are still facing strong financial incentives to expand the U.S...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.24/bushel, up $0.05 from yesterday's close. Dec 24 Wheat closed at $5.365/bushel, up $0.0625 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soybeans closed at $9.985/bushel, up $0.11 from yesterday's close. Dec 24 Soymeal closed at $289.6/short ton, up $2.6 from yesterda...

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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.

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