World Perspectives

Race to Fix Labor

U.S. agriculture utilized a quarter-million temporary migrant workers last year under the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, and it was still far from enough labor. The problem, say farmers, is that the program is slow and too complex. Even though most applications for H-2A labor are filed electronically, the Department of Labor is proposing to mandate it and is also simplifying the associated wage requirements. Meanwhile, legislation has been proposed on Capitol Hill that would eliminate the complicated Adverse Effect Wage Rate requirement altogether and shift responsibility for guest farm workers from the Department of Labor to USDA. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) sent a letter to the Trump administration d...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 24 Corn closed at $4.2475/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.5575/bushel, down $0.09 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soybeans closed at $9.8575/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close. Jan 25 Soymeal closed at $295.9/short ton, up $4.4 fro...

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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.

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