Appointment Hostages The number of presidential nominees being held hostage in the U.S. Senate is notable for several reasons:
Placing a hold on an appointee is typically a tactic used against the White House by the opposing party in the Senate, but now it is being actively exercised by Republicans against their own party’s leader. Many of the holds relate to trade or agriculture such as the following:
- Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) is holding up Chief Agriculture Negotiator-designee Gregg Doud because U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Lighthizer has yet to respond to him on the ill effects of the proposed expedited safeguard for perishables in the NAFTA renegotiation. - Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) is blocking two U...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
