Killing the Golden Goose USTR Katherine Tai has been scoring victories against Mexico’s AMLO when it comes to organized labor issues under the USMCA, but it will have a cost. One of the reasons U.S. companies sent their manufacturing to China was lower labor costs. Not only is there now decoupling from China but the Middle Kingdom no longer has low labor costs. Instead, the Economist Intelligence Unit notes that on a labor cost per hour basis, it is Vietnam currently winning the competition for efficient labor, and right behind it is Mexico. Mexican labor has long been part of the key to U.S. agricultural competitiveness. Auto manufacturers have been sending production to Mexico and American unions are pushing collective bargaining i...
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
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.