The bearish psychology that has blanketed agricultural markets for many months has masked a significant developing story. That story is the severe drought that has encompassed South Africa and its neighboring countries for several months, impacting a significant crop. Drought Impacts Southern Africa’s Corn Crop The bearish psychology that has blanketed agricultural markets for many months has masked a significant developing story. That story is the severe drought that has encompassed South Africa and its neighboring countries for several months. White corn (maize) is a food staple for a very high percentage of the population in this region. It is consumed directly by people, while yellow corn is used primarily to feed livestock. South Afr...
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.