The CBOT was higher once again with soybeans and the oilseed complex leading the way. Drought in Brazil and the surging soyoil prices have supported the complex and driven a widespread wave of short-covering by funds. Corn and wheat futures followed the oilseed markets higher at midweek but failed to score the same bullish chart moves as their soy-related counterparts. Grain markets are especially cautious ahead of Monday’s Grain Stocks report, which is expected to show strong year-over-year gains in stocks. Short covering has comprised a large degree of the recent rally in the CBOT markets, but WPI is starting to wonder how long it may last. Friday is first notice day for October contracts (most notably soymeal and soyoil) and...
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.