World Perspectives
farm-inputs

USA Land Use Changes

The acres used for crops in the U.S. peaked in 1981 when farm income was low and farmers tried to make up for it by expanding production. The acres used for crops in 2022 was 14.7 percent fewer and the share of cropland successfully harvested had risen slightly to 85 percent.  While the number of acres planted and then considered failed in production peaked during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930’s, failed acres in 2002 were the highest since 2002. Notably, the number of acres double cropped has not increased with the higher crop values in recent years. The marginal returns may not offset the cost of inputs and soil sustainability.  For similar reasons like the loss of nitrogen and soil moisture, the amount of summer...

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WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 16 September)

Update for 28 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where o...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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