World Perspectives

Sequester Politics; Studies

Ironies of Sequester Politics: Nearly all agree that the across the board U.S. budget cuts (sequester) slated for 1 March is worse policy than making cuts based on a system of rational prioritization. The latter approach is made impossible due to strong representation in Washington (lobbyists) by all recipients of federal funds. In other words, it is democracy that prevents more selective reductions from occurring.One of the ironies in the debate to avoid the sequester is that some of those arguing that it will cause food safety risks to rise and it will bring harm to the meat industry concurrently complain about subsidies to agribusiness. The Executive Branch, under both Republicans and Democrats, has long sought to shift the cost of mea...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Mostly a Low Volume, Higher Close Day

It was the lowest trading volume day of the week for grains and soybeans. It started with soyoil the only major contract trading lower, but by mid-session it had been joined by old crop corn. New crop corn joined all three wheats and soybeans with a higher close. Hogs opened lower but then reve...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.69/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.43/bushel, up $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.58/bushel, up $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $296.9/short ton, up $2.6 from ye...

Trade Deals Being Worked on With Japan, China, and the EU

Japanese trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is in D.C. to talk trade. During a two-hour meeting with various officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Akazawa called for a review of recent U.S. tariffs, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said today Japan will not sacrifice its national...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Mostly a Low Volume, Higher Close Day

It was the lowest trading volume day of the week for grains and soybeans. It started with soyoil the only major contract trading lower, but by mid-session it had been joined by old crop corn. New crop corn joined all three wheats and soybeans with a higher close. Hogs opened lower but then reve...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.69/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.43/bushel, up $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.58/bushel, up $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $296.9/short ton, up $2.6 from ye...

Trade Deals Being Worked on With Japan, China, and the EU

Japanese trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is in D.C. to talk trade. During a two-hour meeting with various officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Akazawa called for a review of recent U.S. tariffs, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said today Japan will not sacrifice its national...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 2 May)

Transportation and Freight Market Comments - 2 May 2025 By Matt Herrington Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight Dry bulk markets are finding some support from spot and 30-day demand but the Section 301 rules are depressing grain demand past July. Cargo orders from northern Brazil are increasing as South Amer...

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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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