In the U.S., there have been winners and losers under NAFTA, much as there have been in Mexico and Canada. That is the nature of trade. Perhaps the biggest winners in all three countries have been consumers.During his presidential campaign, candidate Donald Trump often characterized the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico as a disaster for the U.S. He declared that he would withdraw the U.S. from the trade pact if elected, claiming that it cost the country jobs and caused a huge balance of trade deficits with both Mexico and Canada. Mr. Trump’s opinions about NAFTA were consistent with his “America First” views, distrust of international trade agreements and populist fears of globalization. After b...
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
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.