The desire of interested parties to "discover" the value of certain grains in the future is one of the reasons for the evolvement of the first futures markets at the fledgling Chicago Board of Trade in the mid-19th century. Now of course, there are futures markets representing a dizzying array of commodities.Last week in this column, we commented about commodity prices and how they tend to move in cycles that reflect the balances between supplies of the physical commodities in relation to demand for the same. Many micro or macro factors can and often do influence commodity prices. Ultimately, though, it is the perceived or predicted changes in that fundamental balance between supply and demand that drive commodity prices up or down accordin...
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.