False Rise of Small Ag More Democrats than Republicans take a populist view toward American agriculture, and that means the current capitalist system will be under attack. Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), a likely 2020 presidential candidate, has introduced legislation that would impose a moratorium on agribusiness mergers, and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), another potential contender, has proposed legislation to subsidize small and local agriculture. U.S. agriculture is competitive globally because of its scale and specialization. Reversing this dynamic would have many implications, including raising food costs. However, making any dramatic change to the system is unlikely since it would start a revolt from those farmers who have hug...
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.
What You Need to Know Today: USDA reports are delayed until Tuesday due to the federal holiday on Monday. Over the weekend, President Trump announced a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Russia warmly welcomed and confirmed this ceasefire by conducting more strikes against Ukraine. Specific...
On Saturday, 10 October, at a campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, President Trump said that the U.S. and Mexico would come to terms on a new trade deal, and he said Canada does not need to be part of the deal. Trump called the coming agreement with Mexico “great” but gave no d...
Key Takeaways: The United States has steadily lost global wheat export market share since the 1970s, falling from the world's leading exporter to a projected fifth place in 2026/27. The rapid expansion of Black Sea wheat exports, driven by improved productivity and export infrastructure, has r...