World Perspectives

Deep Bench to Fight RFK; China Market Risk; Thankless Job

Deep Bench to Fight RFKBeing the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is usually a pretty good job. It involves doling out billions of dollars, the constituency is dominated by courteous country people, and controversies tend to be minor. The person serving the longest in any Cabinet position was James “Tama Jim” Wilson at USDA for 16 years. Current USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will have served in the position for 12 years. Henry A. Wallace served as USDA chief for eight years before being elevated to Vice President. Officially, the position is mid-tier in the presidential line of succession. But it is technically oriented, and the weakest secretaries have been those ill-suited to the job. Per Dave Juday’s discussion of who might be the next US...

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CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds paring back their net long position across the major ag futures contracts for the second straight week as signs of hope in the Middle East triggered an exit of geological “risk on” trades from commodity markets. Funds sold 40,000 contracts (4...

livestock

Cattle on Feed - April 1 2026

U.S. cattle on feed totaled 11.6 million head on April 1, 2026, 1 percent below April 1, 2025.  Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.71 million head, 7 percent below 2025.  Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million head, 6 percent below 2025.  Other disa...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.4875/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.9125/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6725/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $331.8/short ton, down $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds paring back their net long position across the major ag futures contracts for the second straight week as signs of hope in the Middle East triggered an exit of geological “risk on” trades from commodity markets. Funds sold 40,000 contracts (4...

livestock

Cattle on Feed - April 1 2026

U.S. cattle on feed totaled 11.6 million head on April 1, 2026, 1 percent below April 1, 2025.  Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.71 million head, 7 percent below 2025.  Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million head, 6 percent below 2025.  Other disa...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.4875/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.9125/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6725/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $331.8/short ton, down $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Rebound for Corn, Beans on Iran News; Wheat Declines

New variables specifically in the agricultural markets were light today, but the Iran war news hit some markets like a tsunami. The war and Iran’s chokehold on global oil supplies have subjugated economies for nearly seven weeks with outsized petrol prices. Everything became distorted aro...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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