World Perspectives

Channeling Hamilton; Gastronationalism Gone Awry; Science Reverts to Nonpartisan; Black Friday Deals

Channeling HamiltonAlexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, encouraged the Tariff Act of 1789, the Tariff Act of 1790, and the Tariff Act of 1792. He used tariffs to fund the government and protect domestic industries from British exports. President-elect Trump has pledged large tariffs on China and more recently said he would impose more tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico until they stop sending fentanyl and migrants to the U.S.  Current Treasury nominee Scott Bessent has a 3-3-3 policy: bring U.S. deficits down to 3 percent of GDP (currently 6.3 percent), lift economic growth to 3 percent (from 2.5 percent in 2023), and increase oil production by 3 million barrels/day. He has characterized the threat of tariffs...

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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...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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