The 2018 farm bill was signed into law in December of that year and implementing rules were rolled out through 2019. The major crop programs, like ARC and PLC for example, saw participation elections and signups in the fall of 2019 and CRP general sign up began in December 2019. These and other programs are to be in place through 2023. In other words, we’re early into the 2018 farm bill. Increasingly, however, the smart money wager is that the current farm bill won’t last through 2023, and farm policy debate and drafting could start as early as 2021. That could tee up a farm bill vote in 2022, keeping with the recent trend of farm bill debates in mid-Presidential term election years (with 2008 being the exception). FarmDoc Dai...
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...
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.