World Perspectives

Livestock Round Up: Ireland Considering a Climate Herd Buyout

The 1985 farm bill created the whole herd buyout program in response to falling milk prices. In Ireland, a potential buyout program is being considered to address climate change. The two programs are different in many respects – one was to adjust the market, the other is to help achieve environmental goals, but on the other hand, both are similar in a sense in that they are major interventions into the market that did (in the US) and will (in the EU) have unintended consequences. Markets, like nature, abhor a vacuum.   Under the U.S. whole herd buyout – officially known as the Dairy Termination Program (DTP) – the goal was to cut milk production by 9 percent (12 billion pounds at the time). It began in April 198...

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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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