Market Commentary: Russia Resists Black Sea Truce, Cattle Processing Consolidating Further
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
Inflation: Mixed Bag with CPI on Target and PPI Down and Iran War Hovering
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
Agricultural Precision Technology: A Look Back and Forward
We have described the long-term investment climate in crop and livestock production, using data primarily from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The data provided background on the current investment climate and outlook for agricultural capital formation. Our conclusion was that investment...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.72/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close. Sep 26 Wheat closed at $6.5275/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $11.8225/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $314/short ton, down $1.1 from y...
Market Commentary: Potential Black Sea Deal Could Reshape Global Grain Outlook
What You Need to Know Today: Wholesale inflation was flat in July, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) unchanged versus expectations for a 0.2 percent increase. Core PPI rose 0.2 percent, also below expectations. The softer inflation data has reduced the odds of a September interest rate incre...
A Trade Case
Key Takeaways: The U.S. sheep industry is contracting. Lamb output and producer participation have declined sharply. Imports now account for most U.S. lamb consumption. Their roughly 70 percent share raises concerns about domestic capacity and resilience. USTR’s referral carries substant...
Livestock Roundup: Livestock WASDE
Yesterday, the USDA released its monthly World Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), forecasting tighter beef and pork supplies and growing broiler supplies, resulting in a tighter red meat supply. Broiler production, however, continues to grow and is forecast to be up more than 3 percent. Beef...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 13 August)
WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...
Transportation Perspectives - 13 August
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk freight markets are higher this week as activity in Asia and off the ECSA picks up. President Trump extended the Jones Act waiver for another 90 days this week, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport oil and other goods between U.S. ports. A container...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.8075/bushel, up $0.2025 from yesterday's close. Sep 26 Wheat closed at $6.5275/bushel, up $0.225 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $11.8325/bushel, up $0.145 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $315.1/short ton, up $4.2 fro...
Market Commentary: From Headlines to Hard Numbers
Macro: Relief Meets Reality July’s CPI report matched expectations. Headline inflation eased to 3.4 percent year over year, while core inflation declined to 2.5 percent. On a monthly basis, headline CPI rose 0.1 percent and core increased 0.2 percent. Equities and the U.S. dollar traded h...
Implications of the Lower-than-Expected August WASDE Yields and Added Acreage
Key Takeaways: Corn yield came in below expectations at 180.7 bushels per acre, validating WPI’s view that last year’s exceptional yield may have anchored analyst estimates higher. Despite slightly higher production for corn, stronger export projections tightened the balance sheet,...
Market Commentary: Russia Resists Black Sea Truce, Cattle Processing Consolidating Further
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
Inflation: Mixed Bag with CPI on Target and PPI Down and Iran War Hovering
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
Agricultural Precision Technology: A Look Back and Forward
We have described the long-term investment climate in crop and livestock production, using data primarily from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The data provided background on the current investment climate and outlook for agricultural capital formation. Our conclusion was that investment...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.72/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close. Sep 26 Wheat closed at $6.5275/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $11.8225/bushel, down $0.01 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $314/short ton, down $1.1 from y...
Market Commentary: Potential Black Sea Deal Could Reshape Global Grain Outlook
What You Need to Know Today: Wholesale inflation was flat in July, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) unchanged versus expectations for a 0.2 percent increase. Core PPI rose 0.2 percent, also below expectations. The softer inflation data has reduced the odds of a September interest rate incre...
A Trade Case
Key Takeaways: The U.S. sheep industry is contracting. Lamb output and producer participation have declined sharply. Imports now account for most U.S. lamb consumption. Their roughly 70 percent share raises concerns about domestic capacity and resilience. USTR’s referral carries substant...
Livestock Roundup: Livestock WASDE
Yesterday, the USDA released its monthly World Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), forecasting tighter beef and pork supplies and growing broiler supplies, resulting in a tighter red meat supply. Broiler production, however, continues to grow and is forecast to be up more than 3 percent. Beef...
FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 13 August)
WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...
Transportation Perspectives - 13 August
Key Takeaways: Dry bulk freight markets are higher this week as activity in Asia and off the ECSA picks up. President Trump extended the Jones Act waiver for another 90 days this week, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport oil and other goods between U.S. ports. A container...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.8075/bushel, up $0.2025 from yesterday's close. Sep 26 Wheat closed at $6.5275/bushel, up $0.225 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $11.8325/bushel, up $0.145 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $315.1/short ton, up $4.2 fro...
Market Commentary: From Headlines to Hard Numbers
Macro: Relief Meets Reality July’s CPI report matched expectations. Headline inflation eased to 3.4 percent year over year, while core inflation declined to 2.5 percent. On a monthly basis, headline CPI rose 0.1 percent and core increased 0.2 percent. Equities and the U.S. dollar traded h...
Implications of the Lower-than-Expected August WASDE Yields and Added Acreage
Key Takeaways: Corn yield came in below expectations at 180.7 bushels per acre, validating WPI’s view that last year’s exceptional yield may have anchored analyst estimates higher. Despite slightly higher production for corn, stronger export projections tightened the balance sheet,...