WTO Forum Misses Mark WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a well meaning leader who has correctly focused on some of the organization’s bureaucratic management problems. However, like too many of her predecessors, she misses out on some tactics that could move the ball forward on trade liberalization. The annual Public Forum has just concluded and like the agendas of previous years, there is nothing compelling about it for the core agenda – removing trade barriers. The agenda was entitled, “The Missing Peace” looked into how to involve youth in trade, policymaking and peacebuilding for a more sustainable future. The core mission of the WTO is not youth or sustainability. The main hurdle to mission progress i...
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.