World Perspectives

Trade Deficit Shrinks, Fed Cuts Federal Funds Rate at December

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly to $52.8 billion in September, the smallest since mid-2020. The decline in the deficit was due to a large increase in exports, which rose $8.4 billion. Imports were up a more modest $1.9 billion.  The President may see this as a win, as the core aim of Trump’s trade agenda has been straightforward: fewer imports and more domestic production. But whether that’s what we’re actually seeing is far less certain. Focusing on the total volume of trade, imports plus exports, shows the extent of business and consumer interaction across the US border. This measure grew by $10.3 billion in September but is up only 0.4 percent in the past year, and down 10.3 percent from the peak hit...

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.2825/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.07 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6175/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $294.3/short ton, down $5...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Give Back Gains on Technical Weakness; Hogs Hit New Highs

Trade in ag commodity futures saw two diverging trends to start the week. Weakness quickly developed in grains and oilseeds amid profit taking, weak technicals, and Export Inspections data that were about as exciting as the last half of the Broncos–Patriots game. Conversely, cattle future...

Free Trade Style; 30,000 Feet; Technology Evolution; Taxing Food

Free Trade Style Brussels realizes the mistake it made when it included agriculture in its free trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries. Proponents bragged that it would remove most tariffs on EU–Latin American food trade and concurrently protect Europe’s geographic indicator...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.2825/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.07 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6175/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $294.3/short ton, down $5...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Give Back Gains on Technical Weakness; Hogs Hit New Highs

Trade in ag commodity futures saw two diverging trends to start the week. Weakness quickly developed in grains and oilseeds amid profit taking, weak technicals, and Export Inspections data that were about as exciting as the last half of the Broncos–Patriots game. Conversely, cattle future...

Free Trade Style; 30,000 Feet; Technology Evolution; Taxing Food

Free Trade Style Brussels realizes the mistake it made when it included agriculture in its free trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries. Proponents bragged that it would remove most tariffs on EU–Latin American food trade and concurrently protect Europe’s geographic indicator...

biofuel energy

E15 Dropped from Appropriations Bill

In a years-long, ongoing policy battle, a provision to secure E15 was dropped at the last minute from the appropriations bill. On paper, the path forward looks clear, as the oil refiners’ association is now onboard with E15; however, there are still many other smaller mechanisms in the le...

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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.

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