World Perspectives
feed-grains farm-inputs softs

Productivity; People; Marketing

Like Europe, U.S. use of inputs like fertilizer slowed as genetics and technology increased in their role in production. The difference is that U.S. agricultural productivity will see substantially differernt gains in the years ahead. Partial Productivity HFFA Research completed a study for the European Plant Technology Platform that found improved plant breeding techniques over the past 15 years has boosted productivity by 16 percent or just over 1 percent per year. Importantly, seed genetics accounts for 74 percent of all productivity gains in the EU and drives a third of farmer income. Missing from the analysis is how much stronger the gains would have been had Brussels allowed the use of biotechnology in production for more than a few...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4475/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.3575/bushel, down $0.045 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.0525/bushel, down $0.1425 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $307.4/short ton, down...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

2026 Acreage Outlook: Expected Crop Shifts Diminishing

WPI’s second fall acreage forecasts for the 2026 U.S. crop year show producers executing a mild expansion of soybean acres that will not quite offset corn area losses while simultaneously reducing wheat area. Producers are also expected to keep minor crop acreage essentially unchanged, wh...

USMCA Review Underway

U.S. trade officials have started the formal review process for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comment ahead of next year's renegotiation of the pact. Under the process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will eventually be required to provide reports...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4475/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.3575/bushel, down $0.045 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.0525/bushel, down $0.1425 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $307.4/short ton, down...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

2026 Acreage Outlook: Expected Crop Shifts Diminishing

WPI’s second fall acreage forecasts for the 2026 U.S. crop year show producers executing a mild expansion of soybean acres that will not quite offset corn area losses while simultaneously reducing wheat area. Producers are also expected to keep minor crop acreage essentially unchanged, wh...

USMCA Review Underway

U.S. trade officials have started the formal review process for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inviting public comment ahead of next year's renegotiation of the pact. Under the process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will eventually be required to provide reports...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Mixed Session and More Ahead

Corn and soybeans traded much the way they did in the overnight session, though wheat posted something of a reversal. There were flash sales of corn to Mexico and Colombia but no new soybeans sales, which was bearish.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is reportedly rising as a lead po...

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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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