The CBOT and CME markets were sharply lower to start post-Labor Day trading with the ongoing export closure at the U.S. Gulf weighing on grain markets. The Gulf closure is pushing basis levels sharply lower across the country and futures markets are having to adjust accordingly. A combination of long liquidation on good weather and the approaching harvest also kept grain markets on the defensive. In livestock markets, cattle futures imploded as technical weakness and fund liquidation are accelerating following a recent, sustained bull market. Funds were net sellers today, liquidating some 25,000 contracts of corn and 15,000 contracts of soybeans and 6,000 contracts of wheat. Funds were more measured sellers in soyoil and soymeal, liq...
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.