That four years have passed and barely more than half of the required new regulations have been finalized is a sign of the complexities of the legislation requirements. It is also an indication of how controversial many of the law's provisions are and how strong the opposition from the financial sector has been to many of them.Almost exactly one year ago we wrote a commentary on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, known universally as Dodd-Frank, which was passed by Congress in July 2010 and immediately signed into law by President Obama. The Dodd-Frank name pays homage to its two principal authors, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). Both have subsequently retired from Congress.Dodd-...
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
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.