World Perspectives

State Directed Meat; Living Space

State Directed MeatUSDA has been issuing loans and grants to startup livestock businesses with the goal of diversifying the industry, providing producers with more options, and lowering the price of meat. Now Pure Prairie Poultry of Minnesota, a beneficiary of $38.7 million in loan guarantees and $7 million in grant funding has declared bankruptcy. Congressional Republicans want to investigate the criteria for receiving funding, and USDA’s oversight of the use of such funds. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has responded by saying, it’s an “unusual circumstance, an unfortunate circumstance…We look at all of our loans, and a really, really small percentage of loans sometimes don’t make it … the default rate is very, very low.” The point the Republ...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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