6 July is the date when the U.S. will impose its first round of tariffs on imports from China and that country will retaliate with its own 25 percent tariffs on imports from the U.S., including a number of agricultural commodities with soybeans the most prominent. This has created a major problem for U.S. farmers since roughly half of all U.S. soybean exports go there. Said another way, about 25 percent of annual U.S. soybean production is sold and shipped to China. As of today, we have no reason to believe that the U.S. and China will agree to suspend the intended tariffs, although some last-minute arrangement is always possible. Fear of the potential loss of all or most of the Chinese market, beginning in early April, has done cons...
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.
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...