Grain Market Outlook

Wheat Market Situation and 2012/13 Outlook 

March 16, 2012

Summary

In its March 9^th World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA increased its projection of U.S. wheat exports, decreasing ending stocks and tightening % ending stocks-to-use for the 2011/12 marketing year.  Projected World wheat trade and usage were increased, while World ending stocks were cut for MY 2011/12.  Serious questions continue regarding 2012 wheat crop prospects in the U.S., the European Union and the Black Sea region.  Although projected World wheat supply-demand balances have been reduced, they continue to be ample enough to buffer market concerns about developing short crop scenarios and increases in exports. 

MY 2011/12 U.S. & World Wheat Market Prospects: As a result of stronger than expected U.S. export sales to date in MY 2011/12, the USDA raised its projection of U.S. wheat exports by 25 million bushels (mb) for a third consecutive month – up now to 1,000 billion bu (bb).  Projected U.S. food use was reduced 5 mb to 930 mb.  As a result, U.S. wheat ending stocks were lowered to 825 mb, with % ending stocks-to-use declining marginally to 38.2%.  U.S. average wheat prices are projected to be in the range of $7.15-$7.45 per bushel for MY 2011/12 – a record high compared $6.78 in MY 2008/09.    

Due to increased wheat export trade, projected MY 2011/12 World ending stocks were reduced to 209.6 mmt (30.6% ending stocks-to-use), which is comparable to 30.5% last year and 31.1% two years ago.  “Watershed” historic lows of 124 mmt ending stocks and 20.1% S/U occurred in MY 2007/08. 

Early Projections of MY 2012/13 U.S. Wheat Market Scenarios: The “expected production” 2012 U.S. wheat supply-demand scenario assumes 56.5 million acres (ma) planted and 47.6 ma harvested, with trend line yields of 45 bu/ac., and total U.S. wheat production of 2.142 bb.  Projected U.S. wheat ending stocks of 882 mb, 40.1% S/U, and a U.S. farm price of $5.64 per bushel are associated with this scenario, with a 60% probability or likelihood of occurring.  USDA projections are similar to this scenario. A “low production” scenario is assigned a 20% probability, with U.S. wheat yields of 42.0 bu/ac, production of 1.999 bb, ending stocks of 839 mb, 38.9% S/U, and $7.02 /bu average prices.  A “high production” scenario is also assigned a 20% probability, with U.S. wheat yields of 47.0 bu/ac, production of 2.237 bb, ending stocks of 942 mb, 42.3% S/U, and $5.18 /bu average prices.   Taken together, these scenarios indicate an 80% probability of MY 2012/13 U.S. wheat S/U of 40.1%-42.3% S/U, and U.S. farm prices of $5.18-$5.64 /bu. 

Likely Wheat Price Trends in 2012: Unless pronounced wheat production problems occur in major producing areas – i.e., the central and southern plains of the U.S., western Europe, eastern Europe / the Black Sea region – it is likely World wheat supply-demand balances will remain large enough to suppress major wheat market price increases.  Seeded winter wheat acres in drought damaged areas of the U.S. central / southern plains in fall 2011 are/have broken dormancy and are entering rapid spring growth phases with associated soil moisture demands.  Strong World wheat feeding has supported wheat exports and lead to tighter World stocks. And in early MY 2011/12, strength in corn prices has provided cross-market support for the wheat market.  If corn prices increase sharply in 2012 on acreage and production concerns, it is likely that wheat prices will be supported as well.

I. U.S. Wheat Market Situation and Outlook

A.      “Old Crop” MY 2011/12 U.S. Wheat Supply-Demand: In its March 9^th WASDE report, the USDA raised its projection of U.S. wheat exports for MY 2011/12, leading to an increase in projected total usage, a decrease in ending stocks, and marginally tighter projected % ending stocks-to-use (Table 1).    Even with these changes, United States’ wheat ending stocks and % ending stocks-to-use for MY 2011/12 are still projected to remain larger than normal for the period since the early 1970s.  

Wheat ending stocks in the U.S. are fully adequate to meet domestic wheat usage needs in MY 2011/12.  Absent a “game changing” crop shortfall in the U.S. this year that would reduce available domestic supplies, or significant foreign wheat production problems that cause a sharp increase in U.S. wheat exports, it seems likely that the current “abundant stocks” situation will persist in the coming year – limiting independent wheat market price potential.  

That said, the potential for 2012 wheat production problems in the U.S. central and southern plains region for hard red winter wheat and in the northern plains for hard red spring and durum wheat is likely to provide support for wheat prices in the early spring of 2012, as are prospects for volatile U.S. corn prices through at least the spring and early summer months of the coming year. 

a.      U.S. Wheat Supplies = 2.982 bb: In its March report, the USDA made no changes in its projection that MY 2011/12 U.S. total wheat supplies would be 2.982 bb, based on beginning stocks of 862 mb, 2011 U.S. production of 1.999 bb, and imports of 120 mb (Table 1).  This amount of total supplies is markedly less than 3.279 bb in MY 2010/11, approximately equal to 2.993 bb in MY 2009/10, and more than 2.932 bb in MY 2008/09, and 2.620 bb in MY 2007/08. 

b.      U.S. Wheat Use = 2.157 bb: Projected total usage of U.S. wheat in MY 2011/12 was raised 20 mb from February and is up 45 mb from the January USDA WASDE report (Table 1).  Stronger U.S. wheat exports , marginally lower domestic food use and unchanged wheat feeding led to a decrease in projected U.S. wheat supply-demand balances.  The March WASDE projection of U.S. wheat usage of 2.157 bb in MY 2011/12 is down from 2.417 bb in MY 2010/11, but up from 2.018 bb in MY 2009/10.

                          i.      U.S. Domestic Food Usage of 930 mb in MY 2011/12 is down 5 mb from February, but continues to trend at least marginally higher in accordance with U.S. population growth and largely inflexible consumer wheat product purchases. 

                        ii.      U.S. Wheat Exports are projected to be 1.000 bb in MY 2011/12, up 25 mb from February, 50 mb from January and up 75 mb from December 2011.  Projected U.S. wheat exports in MY 2011/12 are still down 22.4% from 1.289 bb in MY 2010/11, but up from 879 mb in MY 2009/10. 

Comments on U.S. wheat export shipments and sales for MY 2011/12 to date: U.S. export prospects have increased in recent months with the pace of U.S. exports being strong enough for the USDA to justify increasing its MY 2011/12 projection for three months in a row.  Based on USDA Foreign Agricultural Service export reports as of March 8^th, actual U.S. wheat export shipments for MY 2011/12 have totaled 733.2 mb – equal to 73% of the USDA’s 1.000 bb projection with 40 of 52 weeks (77%) of the marketing year completed.  However, when future sales are added to completed shipments, a total of 906 mb are accounted for, equal to 91% of the USDA projection.  In particular, U.S. soft red winter wheat exports are projected to be 130 mb in MY 2011/12, up 19% over the last marketing year.  White wheat U.S. exports are projected to be 210 mb in MY 2011/12, up 15 over the previous year.  In contrast, MY 2011/12 U.S. wheat exports in other categories are still projected to be lower on a year to year basis, with hard red winter wheat exports of 395 mb (down from 616 a year ago), hard red spring wheat exports of 240 mb (vs 339 mb last year), and durum wheat exports of 25 mb (vs 43 mb a year ago).

                      iii.      U.S. Wheat feeding of 145 mb in MY 2011/12 is unchanged from January-February, but is down 80 mb from the September 2011 WASDE projection of 240 mb earlier in the marketing year. 

Comments on unfulfilled expectations for U.S. wheat feeding in 2011: Given tight U.S. corn supply-demand balances and relatively abundant U.S. wheat supplies, it was thought by many market analysts in early-mid 2011 that U.S. wheat feed use would increase sharply to make up the shortfall in available U.S. corn.  However, USDA projections to date have not indicated that to be the case. It is still entirely possible that tightness of supplies for U.S. corn in the spring and summer months of 2012 may eventually force increased feeding of U.S. wheat to occur.  There are unofficial reports from the corn belt region of 50-100 mb of wheat used for ethanol production that may not be accounted for yet in USDA MY 2011/12 supply-demand balance projections.  

                       iv.       Recent Wheat Use Trends: Variability in U.S. wheat exports have been a key source of variation in U.S. wheat supply-demand balances since MY 2007/08 (Figure 1).  While food use has been consistent since MY 2004/05 (ranging from 879 to 948 mb), feed and residual use has varied from 16 to 255 mb over the same period.

C.      U.S. Wheat Ending Stocks (825 mb) & Ending Stocks-to-Use (39.5%): The USDA projects MY 2011/12 ending stocks to be 825 mb, down 20 mb from February and down 45 mb from January.  The March U.S. wheat ending stocks estimate is down from 862 mb in MY 2010/11 and from 976 mb in MY 2009/10 (Table 1 and Figure 1).  The MY 2011/12 projection equals 38.2% ending stocks-to-use, down from 39.5% in February and 41.2% in January, and compares to 35.7% in MY 2010/11 and 48.4% in MY 2009/10 (Figure 2).  These ending stocks and % ending stocks-to-use levels are markedly above the historic 60 year low of 306 mb and 13.2%, respectively, in MY 2007/08 – the benchmark “tight supply-demand balance” scenario marketing year since the early 1970s. 

Comments on level of U.S. wheat % ending stocks-to-use: Whereas current projected U.S. corn % ending stocks-to-use is near historic lows, U.S. wheat % ending stocks-to-use levels of 38.2% in MY 2011/12 are much larger than the recent U.S. wheat historic low of 13.2% in MY 2007/08.  Current U.S. wheat ending stocks are large enough relative to total use to avoid causing current market concerns about short supplies in the U.S. wheat market. 

As a competitive potential livestock feed substitute for feedgrains, wheat market prices have been and continue to be supported by record high corn prices.  Without such support from the corn market, it is likely that wheat prices would be markedly lower than their current levels given their burdensome U.S. and World supply-demand balances.  

By responding to and keeping in the range of “relative market value relationship” with high corn prices, the wheat market appears to be acknowledging that the possibility remains that, should market forces and comparative grain prices dictate, large amounts of wheat feeding could occur during the late March through May 2012 period to make up for shortfalls in the 2011 U.S. corn crop and historically tight MY 2011/12 corn ending stocks. 

D.     U.S. Wheat Prices in MY 2011/12 = $7.15-$7.45 /bu.: Although U.S. wheat prices in MY 2011/12 have declined since last summer, they are still projected to be record high.    

a.      The USDA projected MY 2011/12 U.S. average wheat prices to be in the range of $7.15-$7.45 per bushel.  The midpoint of this price range, i.e., $7.30 per bushel, is up from $5.70 in MY 2011 and $4.87 in MY 2009/10 (Table 1 & Figure 2).  United States’ wheat prices in MY 2011/12 are on track to eclipse the previous record highs of $6.48 and $6.78 per bushel in MY 2007/08 and MY 2008/09, respectively.  

Comment on Farmers’ cash wheat storage and sales strategies: As in January-February, this month U.S. wheat cash basis levels and cash prices may be finding support from U.S. wheat farmers’ resistance to selling any remaining wheat at what they view to be lower than expected or hoped for prices – at least lower prices than were available at times during the summer and early fall of 2011. However, with the time till 2012 winter wheat harvest growing shorter, “speculatively storage” strategies are growing more risky to continue in. 

b.      U.S. Wheat vs Corn Prices: The percentage relationship between USDA marketing year average prices for U.S. wheat and corn has been “narrowing” since MY 2007/08 (Table 1).  Comparing June 1^st to May 31^st average prices for U.S. wheat and corn (i.e., marketing year prices for wheat versus calculated 12 month average price for corn) indicates that their relative cash price relationship has been “narrowing”.    

                    i.      The ratio of U.S. wheat-to-corn farm prices has fallen from 164% in MY 2007/08 (wheat marketing year of June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008), to 152% in MY 2008/09, to 137% in MY 2009/10, to 120% in MY 2010/11 and to date through February in MY 2011/12.

Comment of why the narrowing of wheat / corn price ratio has occurred: Since MY 2007/08, U.S. corn supply-demand balances have become relatively less plentiful or “tighter” than have those for U.S. wheat (which have generally grown during this same period).  With the abundance of wheat supplies relative to corn has come competitive pressure to at least have price differentials reflect comparative livestock feed values.

E.      Supply-Demand Balances for Major Classes of U.S. Wheat: Tables 2-4 show U.S. hard red winter, hard red spring, and soft red winter wheat supply-demand balances for the 2007/08 through 2011/12 marketing years. 

a.      U.S. Hard Red Winter Wheat Supply-Demand (MY 2007/08-MY 2011/12):  The USDA increased made minor changes in its projection of MY 2011/12 HRW wheat supply-demand balances in March (Table 2).  For the 2011/12 marketing year, the USDA projects total supplies for U.S. hard red winter wheat to be 1.167 bb, based on beginning stocks of 386 mb, production of 780 mb, and imports of 1 mb. 

Total use of 831 mb (down 3 mb from February) is comprised of food use of 392-395 mb, seed use of 32-34 mb, exports of 395 mb, and feed and residual use of 8-10 mb. The USDA has projected MY 2011/12 U.S HRW wheat ending stocks of 336 mb (40.4% S/U) – the lowest stocks level in 3 years, compared to 386 mb (37.9% S/U) in MY 2010/11, 385 mb (48.7% S/U) in MY 2009/10, 254 mb (27.6% S/U) in MY 2008/09, and to extremely tight supplies in MY 2007/08 of 138 mb (14.0% S/U). 

Comments on the likelihood of 2011 drought conditions carrying over to 2012 U.S. HRW wheat production: In late – winter / early spring of 2012 the focus of the U.S. wheat market will likely be on crop conditions and production prospects for HRW wheat in the U.S. central and southern plains, given the projected continuation of the La Nina weather pattern in early 2012.  The question of whether the 2011 drought conditions that occurred in these areas will be prolonged and continue to have a negative impact on the 2012 U.S. HRW wheat crop will be a key driver of U.S. wheat market prospects through July 2012.    

b.      U.S. Hard Red Spring Wheat Supply-Demand (MY 2007/08-MY 2011/12):  The USDA’s projection of MY 2011/12 U.S. hard red spring wheat exports increased again in March, leading to tighter U.S. ending stocks projections (Table 3).  In the 2011/12 marketing year, the USDA projects total supplies for U.S. hard red spring wheat to be 621 mb, based on beginning stocks of 185 mb, production of 398 mb, and imports of 38 mb (Table 3).

Total use of 479 mb (up 7 mb from February) is comprised of food use of ≈ 218 mb, seed use of ≈ 21 mb, exports of 240 mb (up 10 mb from FebruarY), and no appreciable feed and residual use. The USDA has projected MY 2011/12 U.S HRS wheat ending stocks of 142 mb (29.6% S/U). This level of ending stocks is down 7 mb from February and the lowest in 3 years, comparing to 185 mb (28.6% S/U) in MY 2010/11, 234 mb (47.1% S/U) in MY 2009/10, 142 mb (29.4% S/U) in MY 2008/09, and to the extremely tight supplies in MY 2007/08 of 68 mb (12.4% S/U).

c.       U.S. Soft Red Winter Wheat Supply-Demand (MY 2007/08-MY 2011/12):  The USDA made no changes in its projections of MY 2011/12 U.S. soft red winter wheat supply-demand balances in its March report.  Over the past year, soft red winter wheat production in the U.S. has jumped dramatically to 458 mb in 2011 from 237 mb in 2010, which is the highest level since 614 mb in 2008 (Table 4).  In the 2011/12 marketing year, the USDA projects total supplies for U.S. soft red winter wheat to be 659 mb, based on beginning stocks of 171 mb, 2011 production of 458 mb, and imports of 30 mb.  Total use of 416 mb is comprised of food use of 155 mb, seed use of 15 mb, exports of 130 mb, and feed and residual use of 116 mb. The USDA has projected MY 2011/12 U.S SRW wheat ending stocks of 243 mb (58.4% S/U). 

Total supplies of 659 mb in MY 2011/12 are up from 508 mb in MY 2010/11 and 607 mb in MY 2009/10, but still below 702 mb in MY 2008/09.  Exports of 130 mb in MY 2011/12 are up from 109 mb in both MY 2010/11 and MY 2009/10, but down from 199 and 208 mb in MY 2008/09 and MY 2007/08, respectively.  Feed usage of 116 mb in MY 2011/12 is up from 62 mb in MY 2011/12 and 90 mb in MY 2009/10, but less than 161 mb in MY 2008/09.  Ending stocks of 243 mb (58.4% S/U) are up from 171 mb (50.7% S/U) in MY 2010/11, and essentially equal to 242 mb (48.7% S/U) in MY 2009/10.     

Comments on U.S. SRW wheat feeding prospects: Market expectations in summer 2011 were that feed usage of U.S. SRW wheat in MY 2011/12 would be markedly higher given the tightness of U.S. corn supply-demand balances.  It is still possible that increases in U.S. SRW wheat feeding could occur in early-mid 2012 if the availability of U.S. corn supplies were to tighten markedly, and if it turns out that a substantial amount (50-100 mb) of U.S. SRW wheat has been used in ethanol production in MY 2011/12.         

F.       World Wheat Supply-Demand Trends: Consistent growth in World wheat usage since MY 2007/08 has occurred in spite of periods of record high prices in MY 2007/08-MY 2008/09 and again in MY 2011/12 (Figure 3).  World wheat production in MY 2011/12 is projected to be 694.0 mmt, up 1.14 mmt from February, and larger than 651.5 mmt last year and 685.6 mmt the year before.  World wheat total use in MY 2011/12 is projected to be 683.9 mmt, up 3.45 mmt from February, and larger than 654.4 mmt last year and 650.3 mmt the year before.

Comment on how World wheat markets are likely to be influenced by corn markets till fall 2012. The key issue is that projected MY 2011/12 World wheat production of 694.0 mmt is greater than use at 683.9 mmt, leading to an increase in projected supply-demand balances and providing limited support for World wheat markets – all else being equal. But, all else is “not equal” as tight U.S. and World old crop corn / coarse grain supply-demand balances are projected to be tight at least prior to new crop – fall 2012 harvest.  Wheat supplies are increasingly likely to serve as a “backup buffer” to tight feedgrain supplies through at least fall 2012, with wheat prices following corn prices till such time.

a.      World Wheat Exports = 142.93 mmt in MY 2011/12: Projected World wheat exports of 142.93 mmt are up 2.68 mmt from February and up 3.56 mmt from January, and compares to 131.82 in MY 2010/11 and from 135.80 mmt in MY 2009/10. 

                    i.      Larger exports in MY 2011/12 are projected for Australia (21.5 mmt, up 0.5 from February and up from 18.7 mmt last year), Russia (20.5 mmt, up from 3.98 mmt last year), Canada (17.5 mmt, up from 16.6 mmt last year), Kazakhstan (9.0 mmt, up 0.5 mmt from February, and up from 5.5 mmt last year), and the Ukraine (6.0 mmt, up from 4.3 mmt last year). 

                  ii.      Lower exports in MY 2011/12 are projected for the United States (27.2 mmt, up 0.7 mmt from February, but down from 35.1 mmt last year), the EU-27 (17.0 mmt, down from 22.9 mmt last year), and Argentina (9.0 mmt, down from 9.5 mmt last year).

Comments on U.S. competitor’s wheat export prospects: Potential weather-related wheat production problems in parts of eastern Europe and the Black Sea countries as well as in western European wheat regions may lead to further reductions in projected wheat production and exports from these regions in coming USDA WASDE reports.  Government policies in the Black Sea region regarding wheat and other grain exports may impact World wheat and grain markets if these governments become fearful of having adequate domestic supplies.  The relative abundance of feed quality wheat in MY 2011/12 is “fortuitous” for World grain markets, as countries look for lower cost, more readily available livestock feed alternatives to higher priced / less available corn and other coarse grains.

b.      World Wheat Imports = 138.01  mmt in MY 2011/12: Projected World wheat imports of 138.0 mmt are up 2.1 mmt from February and up 2.8 mmt from January.  Projections for MY 2011/12 of 138.0 mmt are up from 130.1 in MY 2010/11 and from 133.6 mmt in MY 2009/10. 

                    i.      Larger imports in MY 2011/12 are projected for selected Middle Eastern countries – including Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel (14.7 mmt, up 0.8 mmt from February and up from 13.3 mmt last year), the EU-27 (7.5 mmt, up from 4.7 mmt last year), Brazil (7.0 mmt, up from 6.7 mmt last year), other Former Soviet Union countries – excluding Russia, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine (6.5 mmt, up 0.6 mmt from last month and up from 5.3 mmt last year), and China (1.5 mmt, up from 0.9 mmt last year). 

                  ii.      Lower imports in MY 2011/12 are projected for North African countries – including Egypt and Libya (23.3 mmt, up 0.3 from February but down from 24.1 mmt last year), and Southeast Asian countries – including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam (15.3 mmt, down from 15.8 mmt last year).

Comments on World supplies of food versus feed quality wheat for import: Increased World supplies and availability of wheat at marginally lower prices beginning in fall 2011 from Australia, the Black Sea Region and elsewhere has led to an increase in World wheat imports.  Although supplies of lower quality feed wheat are abundant, supplies of higher protein wheat are not as abundant on a relative basis as evidenced by prices currently being offered for U.S. Hard Red Spring wheat on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. 

c.       World Wheat Ending Stocks & %Ending Stocks-to-Use for MY 2011/12 = 209.58 mmt (30.6% S/U):  World Wheat ending stocks are projected to be 209.58 mmt, down 3.52 mmt from February and down 0.44 mmt since January (Figure 3).  Projected MY 2011/12 World wheat ending stocks of 209.6 mmt are larger than 199.5 mmt in MY 2010/11 and 202.3 mmt in MY 2009/10.  Current % ending stocks-to-use projections of 30.6% S/U for MY 2011/12 are nearly equal to 30.5% in MY 2010/11 but smaller than 31.1% in MY 2009/10.  The tightest supply-demand balances in the World wheat market since at least the early 1970s occurred in MY 2007/08, with declines down to 124 mmt in ending stocks and to 20.1% in % ending stocks to use. 

                     i.            Overall, foreign wheat production and export prospects have improved markedly in MY 2011/12 over the previous year, with foreign production projected to be 639.6 mmt (up from 591.5 mmt last year and 625.2 mmt two years ago).  Foreign wheat exports for MY 2011/12 are projected to be 115.7 mmt (up from 96.7 mmt last year and 111.9 mmt two years ago).  

Table 1. U.S. Wheat Supply-Demand Balance Sheet: MY 2007/08 through MY 2011/12

                  (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Table 2. U.S. Hard Red Winter Wheat S-D Balance Sheet: MY 2007/08 through MY 2011/12

                  (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Table 3. U.S. Hard Red Spring Wheat S-D Balance Sheet: MY 2007/08 through MY 2011/12

                  (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Table 4. U.S. Soft Red Winter Wheat S-D Balance Sheet: MY 2007/08 through MY 2011/12

                  (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Figure 1. Trends in U.S. Wheat Use and Ending Stocks: MY 2004/05 through MY 2011/12

                    (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Figure 2. U.S. Wheat Ending Stocks vs U.S. Avg. Cash Prices: MY 1973/74 through MY 2011/12      
(March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

Figure 3. World Wheat Usage & Ending Stocks: MY 2007/08 thru MY 2011/12                                            
(March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report)

II. U.S. Wheat Supply-Demand & Price Projections for MY 2012/13

The outlook for the coming 2012/13 marketing year for U.S. wheat supply-demand balances and prices is driven by a number of key market factors.  Based on current expectations for 2012 U.S. wheat acreage, yields, beginning stocks, domestic food and feed use and exports, projected market outcomes for low, expected, and high U.S. corn production are presented below.

A.      U.S. Wheat Planted Acreage in 2012 = 56.5 million acres: Current grain market consensus is that marginally higher U.S. wheat acreage will be planted in 2012. These projections are based on earlier USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) survey results estimating fall 2011 U.S. winter wheat seedings to be 41.947 ma (up 3%), and on private estimates of projected 2012 planted acreage for other U.S. spring wheat classes.  They also equal the USDA’s projection at the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Conference on February 23-24, 2012.  This analysis proceeds on the assumption that 56.5 million acres (ma) of wheat will be planted in the U.S. for the 2012/13 marketing year.  This would compare to 54.4 ma in MY 2011/12, 53.6 ma in MY 2010/11, and 59.2 ma in MY 2009/10 (Figure 4).   

Comment on implied U.S. spring wheat seeded acreage projected for 2012. These figures implicitly imply that 14.6 ma will be planted to other spring wheat and durum varieties, wheat varieties which amounted to 13.736 ma planted in 2011. In 2011, initial intentions for spring wheat plantings were approximately 2 million acres larger than was finally planted, accounting for the near 2.0 million acre differential between 15.6 ma projected for 2012 and 13.736 ma seeded in 2011. 

B.      U.S. Wheat Harvested Acreage in 2012 = 47.6 ma: Based on average historic planted-to-harvested U.S. wheat acreage relationships since year 2000, it is projected that if 56.5 ma of wheat are seeded in the U.S. in 2012, then 48.4 ma will be harvested (Figure 4).  This amount of U.S. wheat harvested acres would be the largest since 49.9 ma in MY 2009/10, comparing to 45.7 ma in MY 2011/12 and 47.6 mb in MY 2010/11.  The USDA projected 47.5 ma of U.S. wheat would be harvested in 2012, slightly less than the KSU projection.

C.      U.S. Wheat Yields in 2012 – 60% probability of 45.0 bu/acre (trend line): Based on U.S. average wheat yields over the 1973-2011 time period, a linear trend line yield projection for 2012 would be approximately 45.0 bushels per acre (Figure 5). The most recent five year average U.S. soybean yield (2007-2011) is also approximately 45.0 bushels per acre.   

a.      Likelihood of Low Yields in 2012 – 20% probability of 42.0 bu/acre: It is assumed in this analysis that given information available in mid March 2012, there is approximately a 2/10 (i.e., 20%) likelihood of U.S. wheat yields being approximately 3.0 bushels below trend line for 2012, i.e., 42.0 bushels per acre (Figure 5).

b.      Likelihood of High Yields in 2012 – 20% probability of 47.0 bu/acre: It is also assumed in this analysis that given current market information there is approximately a 2/10 (i.e., 20%) likelihood of U.S. wheat yields setting a new record high by being 2.0 bushels above trend line for 2012 at 47.0 bu/ac, which would be 0.7 bu above the current record high of 46.3 bu/ac in 2010 (Figure 5).

c.       USDA U.S. Wheat Yield Projection for 2012 = 44.6 bu/ac.

D.     U.S. 2012 Wheat Production – 60% probability of 2.142 billion bushels: Based on the preceding U.S. wheat acreage and yield projections, it is estimated that there is a 60% probability of 2012 U.S. wheat production being approximately 2.142 bb (Table 5).  This compares with 1.999 bb in 2011, 2.207 bb in 2010, and 2.218 bb in 2009.  

a.      Likelihood of Low Production in 2012 – 20% probability of 1.999 billion bushels: Given information available in mid March, 2012, there is approximately a 2/10 (i.e., 20%) likelihood of U.S. wheat production being 1.999 bb in 2012 (Table 5).  This amount of U.S. wheat production would equal to 1.999 bb in 2011 and greater than 1.808 bb in 2006.

b.      Likelihood of High Production in 2012 – 20% probability of 2.237 billion bushels: In this analysis, there is approximately a 2/10 (i.e., 20%) likelihood of U.S. wheat production being 2.237 bb in 2012, up from 1.999 bb in 2011, but still less than the most recent record high of 2.498 bb in MY 2008/09 (Table 5). 

c.       USDA U.S. Wheat Production Projection for 2012 = 2.210 billion bushels

Comment on factors driving 2012 U.S. wheat production prospects: These results are driven by the projection of 3% higher 2012 U.S. winter wheat planted and harvested acres along with reasonable expectations of U.S. spring wheat seeded acreage (see explanation above).  It is possible that either stressful crop conditions such as drought in March-May in the central and southern plains of the U.S. on the one hand, or “too good to pass up” forward pricing / expected revenue opportunities for alternative crops in spring 2012 such as corn, grain sorghum, sunflower or soybeans may result in some of currently seeded winter wheat acres either a) producing substandard wheat yields, or b) being switched to alternative crop enterprises.

E.      U.S. Wheat Supply-Demand & Price Scenarios for MY 2012/13: Based on probability-based 2012 U.S. Wheat production projections above, adjustments were made to U.S. wheat usage categories that are intended to reflect how adjustments in supply-demand balances and prices – and in some cases, price rationing – may impact wheat usage (Table 5).  Projected adjustments to the usage of wheat for either U.S. domestic food use, exports, seed and/or feed and residual usage, generally reflect either a) more inelastic or limited proportional usage adjustments or decreases for lower production scenarios, or b) more elastic or more expansive usage adjustments or increases for larger production scenarios.

Given these projections of wheat usage for the “low”, “expected” and “large” production scenarios, estimates of U.S. wheat ending stocks and % ending stocks-to-use were then derived for each. Projected U.S. farm average wheat prices were made based on the evolving relationship between historic U.S. wheat prices and % ending stocks-to-use levels since MY 1973/74 (Figure 6).  

Recent linkage of Wheat to Corn Prices: In a simplifying and perhaps even controversial approach, these probability weighted U.S. wheat price projections for MY 2012/13 are linked to price outcomes from the “Low”, “Expected”, and “High” production probability weighted scenarios for U.S. corn.  This makes the “heroic” assumption that when low, expected, or high production outcomes occur for U.S. corn, they will also occur during the same calendar years as for wheat.  But, given the marked influence that corn market price trends and levels have been having on the wheat market, the assumption of “wheat-corn market linkage” will be made here.  It is assumed that U.S. wheat farm prices are approximately 115% of corn prices for similar low, expected and high price scenarios. This follows closely the assumption the USDA made in its recent 2012 U.S. Agricultural Outlook Conference, with the associated ratio of the USDA’s wheat ($6.00 /bu) and corn ($5.00 /bu) equaling 120%.  After adjusting the USDA corn supply-demand balance sheet to updated information in the March WASDE report, the new ratio equaled $6.00 / $5.20 or 115%.  The 115% wheat to corn price ration approach is used in this analysis.   

a.      “Expected Production” Market Scenario: 60% prob. of 40.1% S/U & $5.64 /bu U.S. Farm $: Based on the U.S. wheat acreage and yield projections above, and supply-demand the adjustments just alluded to, there is approximately a 60% probability of 2012 U.S. wheat ending stocks being near 882 mb, with ending stocks-to-use rising to 40.1%, and U.S. average wheat prices falling to $5.64 /bu (Table 5).

b.      “Low Production” Market Scenario: 20% prob. of 38.9% S/U & $7.02 /bu U.S. Farm $: Based on the previous analysis, there is approximately a 20% probability of 2012 U.S. wheat ending stocks being near 839 mb, with ending stocks-to-use staying nearly steady with current projections for MY 2011/12 at 38.9%, and with U.S. average wheat prices averaging $7.02 /bu (Table 5).

c.       “High Production” Market Scenario: 20% prob. of 42.3% S/U & $5.18 /bu U.S. Farm $: There is approximately a 20% probability of 2012 U.S. wheat ending stocks being near 942 mb, with ending stocks-to-use increasing to 42.3%, and with U.S. average wheat prices averaging $5.18 /bu (Table 5).

d.      Adjusted USDA Wheat Market Scenario for MY 2012/13: 40.5% S/U & $6.00 /bu U.S. Farm $: Taking USDA Ag Outlook Conference projections and making minor adjustments for beginning stocks and other usage categories, adjusted USDA projections would indicate that U.S. wheat ending stocks in MY 2012/13 would be near 880 mb, with ending stocks-to-use increasing to 40.5%, and with U.S. average wheat prices of $6.00 /bu (Table 5). The results of the adjusted USDA projection is very similar to the KSU “expected production” scenario.

Comment on the projected probabilities of alternative U.S. wheat S/D & $ scenarios for MY 2012/13: Combining the “expected” and “large” U.S. wheat production scenarios together, these projections indicate that there is an 80% probability (60% + 20%) of U.S. wheat prices being near $5.18-$5.64 per bushel in the 2012/13 marketing year.  Expected trend line yields on larger U.S. wheat acres in 2012 are expected to lead to larger projected total U.S. wheat ending stocks and % stocks-to-use in MY 2012/13 than in MY 2011/12.  This in turn would pressure prices to be lower for MY 2012/13 than they have been in either MY 2011/12 ($7.30 /bu on average) or MY 2010/11 ($5.70 / bu average). 

That said, there is still a 2 in 10 (or 20%) probability that U.S. wheat yields will again be substandard or at least below early growing season expectations for a second consecutive year. In that event, U.S. wheat % ending stocks-to-use levels are projected to be 38.9% with a $7.02 average price.  This compares with the current MY 2011/12 record high U.S. farm average wheat price of $7.15-$7.45 (midpoint of $7.30). As in MY 2011/12, the cross over effects of high U.S. corn market prices are providing underlying support for U.S. wheat prices – helping them to maintain higher price levels than they would have otherwise.

Table 5. U.S. Wheat Supply-Demand Balance Sheet: MY 2011/12 and Projected MY 2012/13

                  (March 9, 2012 USDA WASDE Report, USDA and KSU Projections)

Figure 4. U.S. Wheat Planted Acreage (1973-2011) and Projection for 2012

Figure 5. U.S. Wheat Yield Trend (1973-2011) and Projection for 2012

Figure 6. U.S. Wheat Price vs % Stocks-to-Use (MY 1973/74 through Projected MY 2012/13)