World Perspectives

Ag Appropriations Overview

Congress is back in session after the 4th of July Independence Day holiday break. But there are only 12 days on the legislative calendar for the month; there will be a break next week for the Republican nominating convention, and then Congress adjourns for the August recess on 2 August. Legislators will be back for September but adjourn again in early October before the November elections. This doesn’t bode well for completing any legislation, including the farm bill.   Note that on 30 September, the current farm bill extension expires, as does the current government funding. Currently no appropriations for FY 2025 (which starts on 1 October) have been approved by Congress. The House has passed 4 of 12 appropriations bills,...

Related Articles
livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins deteriorated further, falling to -$129/head last week, down $38 from the prior week as a continued seasonal softening in the Choice cutout pressured returns. The cutout declined to $382/cwt, extending its post–Easter pullback, while fed cattle prices held near $248/cwt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: SOH Confusion Persists, but Ags Focus on Weather, Exports

The situation in the Persian Gulf remains as volatile as ever since it started on 28 February with a supposed weekend peace agreement dissolving into the U.S. Navy firing upon an Iranian vessel. The vessel was trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and reportedly did not heed commands to h...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.52/bushel, up $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.06/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6575/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $321.2/short ton, down $6 from...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins deteriorated further, falling to -$129/head last week, down $38 from the prior week as a continued seasonal softening in the Choice cutout pressured returns. The cutout declined to $382/cwt, extending its post–Easter pullback, while fed cattle prices held near $248/cwt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: SOH Confusion Persists, but Ags Focus on Weather, Exports

The situation in the Persian Gulf remains as volatile as ever since it started on 28 February with a supposed weekend peace agreement dissolving into the U.S. Navy firing upon an Iranian vessel. The vessel was trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and reportedly did not heed commands to h...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.52/bushel, up $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.06/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6575/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $321.2/short ton, down $6 from...

Aid versus Trade; Idealism versus Competition; AI and Ag; Untethered Presidency

Aid versus Trade Development assistance has a long and unsatisfying history. The causes of poverty were long ago identified as poor governance and the lack of rule of law. But the UN could not criticize the national leaders that form its membership, and so for decades development assistance has...

Image
From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

Search World Perspectives

Sign In to World Perspectives

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up