World Perspectives
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

What Is Wrong With Being Big?

Farming is like any other business that produces and sells goods and services. Its profitability depends on maximizing productivity, efficiency and economies of scale.We grew up in eastern South Dakota a long time ago when agriculture was not just the leading industry in the area, it was the only industry. The town we lived in was so big that it had two country grain elevators. There was an additional elevator in a tiny town about eight miles to the west and one in another very tiny town about 12 miles east. Within a 50-mile radius of where we lived there were at least 20 country elevators. The area was served by two rail lines. An east/west line ran through our town as well as a north/south line. Farms in our county probably averaged less...

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livestock

Livestock Round Up: Cattle Shortage Still Affecting Prices

Cattle supply still matters. USDA has announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico due to recent detections of New World Screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. Economic fundamentals, such as tight cattle supplies, still play a role in supporting prices in the outly...

soy-oilseeds

Oilseed Highlights: RVO Rumors Sink Soyoil; Sesame Demand Slows

The Market  There were four big “stories” for oilseeds markets to follow this past week: the U.S.-China trade negotiations, the May WASDE report, news that the U.S. Congress may be planning to extend the 45Z tax credits, and Thursday’s rumors that the EPA may be undercutt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.455/bushel, up $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.2475/bushel, up $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.7775/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $291.9/short ton, down $1.4 fro...

livestock

Livestock Round Up: Cattle Shortage Still Affecting Prices

Cattle supply still matters. USDA has announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico due to recent detections of New World Screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. Economic fundamentals, such as tight cattle supplies, still play a role in supporting prices in the outly...

soy-oilseeds

Oilseed Highlights: RVO Rumors Sink Soyoil; Sesame Demand Slows

The Market  There were four big “stories” for oilseeds markets to follow this past week: the U.S.-China trade negotiations, the May WASDE report, news that the U.S. Congress may be planning to extend the 45Z tax credits, and Thursday’s rumors that the EPA may be undercutt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.455/bushel, up $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.2475/bushel, up $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.7775/bushel, up $0.0525 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $291.9/short ton, down $1.4 fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Tax Credit Hopes Bouy Soyoil; Wheat Gains on Weather; Cattle Turn Bearish

Weather and Congressional tax policy were at the forefront of futures traders’ minds on Wednesday and these two factors drove much of the day’s price action. The weather outlooks – favorable for the Corn Belt and dry for the Southern Plains, Europe, and Black Sea – creat...

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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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