World Perspectives

Trump Blinked, Farmers Lose; What Scares You?

Trump Blinked, Farmers Lose The White House announcement that tariffs on laptops, phones, clothing and other goods from China will be delayed until after the holiday shopping season is a win for consumers. However, there was no corresponding offer by China to resume purchasing U.S. products like agricultural commodities. Under domestic economic pressure, Donald Trump just blinked, and Beijing is not about to allow him to save face. At this juncture, there are three scenarios, none of which are likely: China agrees to a trade deal. Unlikely before 2021 because it is trying to run Trump out of office. China resumes buying U.S. agricultural products. Unlikely since Trump blinked over toys at Christmas, and the Chinese will now try to end...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Absent Chinese Demand, Supply Dominates the Mood

Markets were over-weight on the Xi – Trump phone call this morning. The phone call went well enough but after it became clear there was no deal on ag or soybeans, the latter turned south. Beans and meal had traded higher overnight and at the open, but like all three wheats, closed on loss...

livestock

Cattle of Feed - Sep 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on September 1, 2025. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.78 million head, 10 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle du...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report Shows Record Low Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today at 3 p.m. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.1 million head, 99 percent of last year, as expected.    Placements and marketings came in slightly more bullish than the pre-report estimates, but still close, within one perc...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Absent Chinese Demand, Supply Dominates the Mood

Markets were over-weight on the Xi – Trump phone call this morning. The phone call went well enough but after it became clear there was no deal on ag or soybeans, the latter turned south. Beans and meal had traded higher overnight and at the open, but like all three wheats, closed on loss...

livestock

Cattle of Feed - Sep 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on September 1, 2025. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.78 million head, 10 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle du...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report Shows Record Low Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today at 3 p.m. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.1 million head, 99 percent of last year, as expected.    Placements and marketings came in slightly more bullish than the pre-report estimates, but still close, within one perc...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.24/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.255/bushel, down $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, down $0.7 fro...

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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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