USDA sent a reminder out to growers and producers today that there are two weeks left to apply for CFAP payments. As of Monday 24 August, there have been 557,592 approved applications and $9.222 billion dispersed from the $16 billion budget. But also this week, USDA Secretary Perdue indicated that a second round of payments will likely be unveiled after Labor Day weekend. Whether it is an extension of the first round, or a broader or differently structured program remains to be seen. Given the approaching election, we can safely assume there will be new commodities eligible, probably including biofuels. Payments to date include $466.85 million to soybean growers and $1.634 billion to corn growers. Payments made by states for program crops,...
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.
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...