The southern Plains drought has essentially been in place since late last fall. It intensified over the winter, spreading mainly south and west but also eastward to some extent. Parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas have not received meaningful rain since last October. A Plains drought is one of those worldwide weather conditions loosely associated with La Nina, which characterizes this current one. The drought’s presence has been well advertised, and its possible impact on the 2018 U.S. hard red winter wheat (HRW) crop has been a topic of discussion among Plains growers, agronomists, flour millers and wheat market watchers for at least the past three months. However, a winter drought may not do much damage to a winter wheat crop if it...
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
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.