The California minimum wage issue will, predictably, have broader economic impacts. The alarming development, however, is that this is becoming a national matter, much like many other trends that started in the state.California Governor Jerry Brown could make farm labor history again. After previously being approved in the State Senate by a vote of 21-14, legislation to provide farm workers with mandatory overtime pay was passed yesterday in the Assembly by a 44-32 vote; it now sits on Brown’s desk awaiting his action. The state’s first four-time governor signed legislation giving farm workers collective bargaining rights during his second term (He was elected in 1974 and 1978 before successfully running again in 2010 and 2014). According t...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.