The news of the day was Pfizer’s announcement that its COVID-19 vaccine proved 90 percent effective in the latest trials. The trials, conducted on 94 subjects, are good news for the fight against the pandemic as it brings a vaccine one step closer to widespread use and availability. Pfizer has reportedly requested fast track authorization that could allow the drug to be used as soon as next month. Still, there are production and logistical challenges to be overcome before the pandemic can be considered finished. The vaccine news sent stock market futures higher overnight and some of that spilled over into the CBOT. Soybeans and the soy complex were higher overnight while wheat futures turned lower and corn was steady in lacklus...
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.