Pigs Better than People House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) says he will take the proverbial bull by the horns in the Prop 12 versus EATS animal welfare debate. The Supreme Court allowed California’s Prop 12 to prevail because there was no federal statute with which it conflicted. The Animal Welfare Act requires minimum standards for commercial animals, but it is far less robust than food safety, for example, bred for commercial sale; used in research, teaching, or testing; transported commercially; or exhibited to the public. States are quickly enacting provisions that will explode case law. For example, Delaware just enacted a definition of "abuse" to mean animal cruelty that...
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
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.