World Perspectives

Unnecessary Protectionism; Solving the Wrong Problem; GSP Leverage

Unnecessary Protectionism The pro-trade group, Hinrich Foundation, correctly calculates that the relative commercial strengths of the U.S. and Brazil make them perfect free trade agreement partners. After all, the U.S. is more competitive in capital goods, consumer products and machinery, while Brazil’s strengths are in agriculture, intermediate goods and minerals. The difference in the two countries’ Revealed Comparative Advantage is just 16 percent, yet Brazil imposes border protection that is nearly 4,000 percent greater. Indeed, if Brazil has a comparative advantage in animal products, hides and skins and vegetables, why does it need to impose tariff rates on these products that are an average 250 greater?  Solving...

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Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.37/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.5675/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4925/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $292.2/short ton, up $1.4 fr...

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Livestock Roundup: China Impact on Red Meat Markets

Pork export sales for the week ending 26 June slowed, following the large volume booked the previous week. However, in the last five weeks pork export sales have averaged over 30,000 MT per week. That is strong for this time of year. Outstanding pork sales at 202,497 MT are running about 10 per...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grain Bulls Emerge from Hibernation

Usually, one discusses bears - not bulls - emerging from hibernation, but the somewhat discongruous title of today's report is an accurate image of Wednesday's market activity. The CBOT turned sharply higher at mid-week with corn, the soy complex, wheat, and livestock futures all posting strong...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.37/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  Sep 25 Wheat closed at $5.5675/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4925/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $292.2/short ton, up $1.4 fr...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: China Impact on Red Meat Markets

Pork export sales for the week ending 26 June slowed, following the large volume booked the previous week. However, in the last five weeks pork export sales have averaged over 30,000 MT per week. That is strong for this time of year. Outstanding pork sales at 202,497 MT are running about 10 per...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grain Bulls Emerge from Hibernation

Usually, one discusses bears - not bulls - emerging from hibernation, but the somewhat discongruous title of today's report is an accurate image of Wednesday's market activity. The CBOT turned sharply higher at mid-week with corn, the soy complex, wheat, and livestock futures all posting strong...

Vietnam Deal; EU Green Targets

Vietnam Deal As the 9 July deadline approaches, a second trade deal was announced by President Trump. He says the U.S. will apply a 20 percent tariff on imports from Vietnam (versus 46 percent reciprocal), and 40 percent if the product was transshipped. The duty could vary based on domestic con...

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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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