One feature during July has been the consistency of USDA’s weekly crop condition ratings for corn and soybeans. There is already considerable discussion about how those will translate into USDA’s first survey-based yield estimates.Insofar as crop-related weather is concerned, it has been a strange summer in the central U.S, the heart of corn and soybean production. In terms of temperatures, June and July have been among the hottest months on record. Looking at just that, the 2016 U.S. corn and soybean crops would appear to be in serious trouble. Indeed, this was the conclusion many observers reached during the second-half of June, which led noncommercial funds to add to huge speculative long positions in corn and soybeans futures contracts...
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.