World Perspectives
biofuel

E15’s Rube Goldberg Regulations

Last Friday, 19 April, the EPA issued an emergency waiver for E15 to be sold through the summer driving season. The topline takeaway of that action is positive for the ethanol sector, but the practicality of implementing the new rule is more complex.   Indeed, the structure of the Clean Air Act (CAA) regulatory scheme for E15 is cumbersome and inefficient. It is reminiscent of the contraptions depicted by the early 20th century cartoons from engineer and cartoonist Rube Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg was a famous and award-winning cartoonist who caricaturized complicated, multi-step machines, designed to perform the most basic and simple tasks. The legacy of his cartoon drawings remains today in the form of Rube Goldberg Machine contests...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.2825/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.07 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6175/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $294.3/short ton, down $5...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Give Back Gains on Technical Weakness; Hogs Hit New Highs

Trade in ag commodity futures saw two diverging trends to start the week. Weakness quickly developed in grains and oilseeds amid profit taking, weak technicals, and Export Inspections data that were about as exciting as the last half of the Broncos–Patriots game. Conversely, cattle future...

Free Trade Style; 30,000 Feet; Technology Evolution; Taxing Food

Free Trade Style Brussels realizes the mistake it made when it included agriculture in its free trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries. Proponents bragged that it would remove most tariffs on EU–Latin American food trade and concurrently protect Europe’s geographic indicator...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.2825/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.07 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6175/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $294.3/short ton, down $5...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Give Back Gains on Technical Weakness; Hogs Hit New Highs

Trade in ag commodity futures saw two diverging trends to start the week. Weakness quickly developed in grains and oilseeds amid profit taking, weak technicals, and Export Inspections data that were about as exciting as the last half of the Broncos–Patriots game. Conversely, cattle future...

Free Trade Style; 30,000 Feet; Technology Evolution; Taxing Food

Free Trade Style Brussels realizes the mistake it made when it included agriculture in its free trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries. Proponents bragged that it would remove most tariffs on EU–Latin American food trade and concurrently protect Europe’s geographic indicator...

biofuel energy

E15 Dropped from Appropriations Bill

In a years-long, ongoing policy battle, a provision to secure E15 was dropped at the last minute from the appropriations bill. On paper, the path forward looks clear, as the oil refiners’ association is now onboard with E15; however, there are still many other smaller mechanisms in the le...

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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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