World Perspectives
livestock biofuel energy

Trade Trouble; KROUS Redux; Back to Bite; Fuel Fight

The historical criticism is that America’s economic interests have taken a backseat to national security objectives, and despite his rhetoric demanding fairer trade, Trump looks to be making the same calculation as his predecessors. Foreign = Trade Trouble China has started importing U.S. beef, albeit in small amounts and under onerous requirements. Now there is hope that poultry will soon flow, and a rice trade protocol is near completion. However, President Trump has now sanctioned a Chinese state bank that was undermining U.N. sanctions against North Korea, and he signed off on weapons sales to Taiwan – though not on any real offensive firepower. Still, his focus on aggressive foreign policy heightens the risk of problems with trade. T...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Cattle are Hot Again, Grain Not so Much

Despite assurances from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the announcement this morning of nearly a half million tons of new soybean sales to China, the trade just doesn’t see the plausibility of a full 12 MMT of beans being bought near-term by Beijing. Particularly not when commitment...

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...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Cattle are Hot Again, Grain Not so Much

Despite assurances from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the announcement this morning of nearly a half million tons of new soybean sales to China, the trade just doesn’t see the plausibility of a full 12 MMT of beans being bought near-term by Beijing. Particularly not when commitment...

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...

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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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