The last quarter's GDP growth was the highest since the third quarter of 2015 and more than twice the average rate for this year’s first two quarters. One of the drivers was exports, which was spurred by ag commodities, particularly soybeans.The U.S. Department of Commerce last week released its Advance Estimated of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2016. It indicates the economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.9 percent in the third quarter versus pre-report estimates of 2.5 percent. The actual growth in GDP was the highest since the third quarter of 2015 and is more than twice the average rate for the year’s first two quarters of 1.1 percent.GDP growth is determined by consumption, investment, government spending and n...
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.