Making sense of USDA reports: Why WASDE deserves your attention

By Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Ohio State University Extension, Field Specialist, Farm Management

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) releases at least 38 official reports each month covering production, prices, stocks, processing, and crop progress. That pace is typical throughout the year. On top of that, the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report pulls everything together into a global outlook. Taken as a whole, the United States offers some of the most complete and transparent agricultural data anywhere in the world.

WASDE is the big picture report. It combines supply and demand information from across the United States and around the globe into one place. Grain markets move every day based on many sources of information, but the WASDE report remains one of the most closely watched benchmarks. Still, at roughly 40 pages, it can be a heavy lift. That’s why many producers find USDA’s monthly “Secretary’s Briefing” video helpful — it walks through the report in about an hour, highlighting what matters most.… Continue reading