As the two-year China-U.S. Phase One trade agreement nears its final months, and seasonal exports trend up, what China does for the rest of the year has become a hot topic. At a recent event in Kansas City, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the U.S. will press China to meet its targets, stating the U.S. will make “… an effort to make sure China understands that it is our expectation, and it should be their expectation that they live up to the agreements that they made.” Under the agreement China made a commitment to increase its agriculture purchases; the agreement was based on the value (not volume) of exports and was subject to normal market and trade patterns. The total value of imports of ag products from...
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.