International organizations are warning that COVID-19 and the associated economic recession will increase hunger in poorer countries. To quote World Food Program leader David Beasley, there will be “multiple famines of biblical proportions.” Looking at Sub-Saharan Africa, GDP growth may impact the production of basic food crops like rice and maize, but the data hardly shows “biblical proportions - even during the Great Recession. Right now, the countries adversely impacted by rising food costs include Sudan, South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Zambia. However, these countries suffer from the usual causes of hardship: conflict and poor governance. This is not to say there will not be impacts but they should be viewed in contex...
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...
From WPI Consulting
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.