Regional News Concerns about the frost-tolerance of the Black Sea wheat crop are growing after the EU Commission confirmed last week that a late start to planting in the region has left crops at risk. Specifically, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine saw a later-than-normal planting and an early onset of cold weather in late November that impaired crop development and “hardening”. Fortunately, the 7-day forecast offers little risk of frost/freeze damage, which will give the crop more time to develop. For the last week of 2021, however, cold weather descends on the Black Sea region, which will put the crop at risk. Despite development delays in Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria, the Russian wheat crop is reportedly more adv...
What You Need to Know Today: Crude oil prices extended their rally today, supported by several developments, including escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and growing concerns about supply disruptions. The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to remove 50 perc...
Regional News Dry weather across the UK and Europe is becoming increasingly concerning for the 2027 crops as planting intentions are lowered amid dry soil conditions. Delayed sowing or establishment under adverse conditions could leave crops more vulnerable to frost/freeze events and dise...
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.