2016/17 is shaping up to be a far different and better year for producers, handlers, transporters, processors and exporters of the major U.S. row crops than seemed possible six months ago.Views of potential U.S. and South American crop production in 2016 have been the principal driver of grain and soybean futures prices since last spring, although certainly not the only one. Assumptions that U.S. farmers would cut back on planted acreage sponsored a price rally that began in the early part of that season. Those two factors together pulled a number of commodity funds and hedge funds back into the grain and soy futures markets after many had exited following large losses in 2015. The price rally paused briefly when USDA’s initial March acreag...
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
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.