The federal crop insurance program is coming under fire as a new GAO study and a filed amendment for the pending ag appropriations bill both propose cuts to such spending.Two plans to cut crop insurance spending have been proposed in the past few days. The first stems from a report released last week by the General Accountability Office (GAO), “Crop Insurance: Opportunities Exist to Improve Program Delivery and Reduce Costs,” which was requested by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-California). It recommended that either or both of the following two policy reforms be implemented to reduce costs for the crop insurance program:
limit the underwriting gain that crop insurance companies earn reduce the portion of premiums that participating insura...
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...
