The CBOT largely followed its existing trends into the weekend, which meant rallies in soymeal and soybeans, new contract lows in wheat, and sideways trade in corn and soyoil. Live cattle futures finally posted what WPI views as an overdue correction from Monday’s collapse with steady/firmer trade in the cash market. There was little fresh news for the day to drive markets, but rumors that China is cancelling Brazilian soy purchases added strength to the soy complex while the resumption of Ukrainian shipments pressured wheat. Simmering in the background is the Israel-Gaza conflict, which shouldn’t have direct impact on commodity markets (other than fertilizer) but could very quickly shift risk-on/risk-off trade mentality and add...
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.