The overnight session saw shrinking volume, lower prices for the grains and a stronger soy complex amid less-than-satisfactory weather forecasts for west/central and northwestern Brazil. This same price pattern prevailed during the day session as well. General Comments We are apparently not alone in our fascination with agricultural futures markets. Fund managers with a taste for derivative investment also find it hard to stay away from them even though profits have been difficult to achieve in the last 18 months. After being long and wrong and/or short and wrong, some of them vow to exit the markets and never return. This was a fairly common resolve during the first few months of 2015. Yet, almost like moths drawn to a light, return they...
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.
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...