World Perspectives

Weaker Consumer Finances Darken Economic Outlook, Despite Interest Rate Cuts

The past two weeks have seen the typical influx of macroeconomic data releases, most of which helped prompt the Federal Reserve to issue its 50-bps interest rate cut on Wednesday. While the interest rate cut was initially viewed as a positive signal (lower interest rates generally increase economic activity), history suggests rate cuts can precede market corrections or recessions. This is highly dependent on other factor at play in the economy, which WPI attempts to examine here.  WPI looks at macroeconomics through three primary lenses: national-level factors, consumer income and finances, and consumer spending. The first, national-level factors, includes items such as stock market valuation, the Treasury yield curve, and the inflati...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.1725/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.625/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $303.7/short ton, up $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Holding Breath for Monday’s WASDE

As expected, it was a lower volume trading day ahead of likely market moving USDA reports on Monday. The exceptions were HRS and lean hogs. There were also generally lower trading ranges. The soybean complex traded higher on strength in coproducts but the rest of the board was mostly in the red...

livestock

New World Screw Worm: A Threat to Dairy?

The dairy industry continues to evolve, though it is facing new challenges. Through September, milk production is up 97 pounds per head in 2025 over 2024 and has increased steadily for several years. Further, there is a migration in dairy cows, with the southern plains growing in cow numbers. T...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.1725/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.625/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $303.7/short ton, up $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Holding Breath for Monday’s WASDE

As expected, it was a lower volume trading day ahead of likely market moving USDA reports on Monday. The exceptions were HRS and lean hogs. There were also generally lower trading ranges. The soybean complex traded higher on strength in coproducts but the rest of the board was mostly in the red...

livestock

New World Screw Worm: A Threat to Dairy?

The dairy industry continues to evolve, though it is facing new challenges. Through September, milk production is up 97 pounds per head in 2025 over 2024 and has increased steadily for several years. Further, there is a migration in dairy cows, with the southern plains growing in cow numbers. T...

livestock

Where is the Hog Market Headed? Rosy Early Outlook for 2026.

Lean hog futures saw an unexpected rally to conclude 2025 with the market rebounding from an autumn selloff. The rebound was sufficiently strong to push deferred futures to new contract highs and nearby contracts just a few dollar shy of their contract highs. Despite this futures rally, physica...

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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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