With one day left before the 2020 election, one issue hasn’t received any attention, but it may be the biggest challenge facing policy makers starting in 2021: fiscal policy and the federal budget. We are now one month into the new FY 2021, and don’t have a spending bill for the rest of the year (that expired in December and will have to be finalized in a lame duck session of Congress). We don’t have that fourth leg of the COVID relief support program finished either. That will either be taken up in the lame duck session, with election maneuvering cooled, or, based on the election outcome and control of the Senate, will be pushed until early 2021. But as the economy comes off its huge 33 percent rebound in GD...
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
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.