A number of developing factors over the past several weeks suggest that the 2017/18 crop cycle will be different across the globe.Major common threads for world agricultural production, trade and crop prices during the last four crop cycles were growing production and building global stocks. Those of wheat, corn and soybeans all reached record levels during this period, aided and abetted by generally favorable worldwide weather conditions. U.S. production and stocks mirrored this trend and were an integral part of it. Another less discussed common thread was the rising demand, which also reached record levels despite the long uptrend of the U.S. dollar. Even so, demand did not grow enough to forestall significant multi-year stock building...
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.