Since it is election day in the U.S., we look at how farm income has performed under various presidents. Presidents receive the credit or blame for the overall economy whether it is deserved or not. As the current farm payments attest, presidents likely have more control over farm income than the national accounts. President Franklin Roosevelt entered office with farms imploding from the Dust Bowl and an economic recession, but his Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 turned things around. He served a record 12 years in the White House and gets credit for the largest run of compound annual growth in farm income. His immediate predecessor, Herbert Hoover, had the worst. Richard Nixon had little interest in agriculture, but the second-...
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.
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...