World Perspectives

U.S. Food Aid Status

The Trump Administration’s placement of the U.S. Agency for International Development on ice has sparked a firestorm in Washington. Critics of the agency point to an NGO industrial complex that works contrary to some American policy goals and diverts money from needy Americans. Supporters say the agency saves lives and counters the influence of competitor nations like China. A headline in today’s Washington Post says, “Gutting USAID threatens billions of dollars for U.S. farms and businesses.” It says hundreds of tons of wheat is currently stranded in Houston. U.S. food aid was supposed to be exempt from aid stoppage but let’s put this all in some context. The U.S. is the world’s largest aid donor. No oth...

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Market Commentary: Mixed to Lower on Safety Ahead of the Long Weekend

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President's Day

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Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3175/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4875/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.33/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $309.2/short ton, up $1.3...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Mixed to Lower on Safety Ahead of the Long Weekend

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In observance of Presidents’ Day, both the CME/CBOT and our offices will be closed on Monday, 16 February. The next edition of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 17 February...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.3175/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.4875/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.33/bushel, down $0.0425 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $309.2/short ton, up $1.3...

Who is Paying for U.S. Tariffs?

Over the course of 2025, the average tariff rate on U.S. imports increased from 2.6 percent at the beginning of the year to 13 percent by year-end. It then spiked in April and May, when tariffs on Chinese goods were raised by 125 percentage points, before being reversed by 115 percentage points...

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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