Including USDA estimates in market baselines, the University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute found that increasing commodity prices will likely keep 2013 corn acreage high, but more favorable weather conditions may drop those prices next year.
FAPRI's baseline models assume continuation of current policy, including the existing farm bill and the Renewable Fuels Standard. FAPRI uses the baseline to understand how changes in policy may affect the farm sector.
The baselines also estimate a 10% reduction in ethanol production for the 2012-13 corn marketing year. Though domestic consumption is expected to decline by 2%, increased imports are expected.
The University of Missouri's updates to ag markets baselines find record commodity prices, decreases in ethanol production.
A significant increase in corn price—up $1.85 from 2011-12—is projected for the 2012-13 marketing year. However, corn price is expected to drop from $8.10 per bushel in 2011-12 to $5.20 per bushel in 2012-13, if weather patterns improve.
Soybeans are projected to average $16.27 per bushel this year, which the report notes will reduce crush and exports. This is a 30% increase from the 2011 record. Wheat is estimated to reach $8.42 per bushel.
A companion baseline study prepared by the University of Missouri's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics found market baselines for livestock and dairy have significantly changed due to higher feed costs.
"Purchased feed expenses in 2013 could very well be three times higher than the 1990-2004 average, and over 70% above the 2007-2010 average, requiring strong growth in output prices for the livestock and dairy sectors to remain profitable," update authors Scott Brown and Daniel Madison report.