World Perspectives
biofuel energy

Chemophobes; Off-Expertise

Separating otherwise safe, concurrent uses of chemicals is as wrong a strategy as the Maginot Line. Organic matter is chemical matter at its base. Chemophobes Win After being pilloried in the social media by activists, the Subway sandwich chain announced it would stop using azodicarbonamide as a bleaching and conditioning agent in its bread. The complaint was that the chemical is also used in making yoga mats. Actually, it is used in the manufacture of many plastics, but the sweaty yoga mat provides a graphic image to chemophobes. One could make this ever grosser: benzoic acid is used to fight fungus in food as well as athlete's foot in humans (food odor is caused by isovaleric acid, also found in foods). Additionally: Sodium benzoate...

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farm-inputs

Phosphate and Potash Added to Critical Minerals List

The Department of the Interior has added phosphate and potash, two key fertilizer ingredients, to the official Critical Minerals List. They are part of 60 minerals deemed vital to the U.S. economy and national security, with 10 of those being newly listed, that face potential risks from disrupt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pre-Weekend Bounce on a Mixed Week

Outside markets continued their downbeat on Friday but ag futures had a few recoveries from yesterday’s trouncing.  Corn closed lower for the day and the week.  The soy complex closed optimistically for the day but had a mixed week. Winter wheat closed lower on the day and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2725/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2775/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.17/bushel, up $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $317.1/short ton, up $4.4 f...

farm-inputs

Phosphate and Potash Added to Critical Minerals List

The Department of the Interior has added phosphate and potash, two key fertilizer ingredients, to the official Critical Minerals List. They are part of 60 minerals deemed vital to the U.S. economy and national security, with 10 of those being newly listed, that face potential risks from disrupt...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Pre-Weekend Bounce on a Mixed Week

Outside markets continued their downbeat on Friday but ag futures had a few recoveries from yesterday’s trouncing.  Corn closed lower for the day and the week.  The soy complex closed optimistically for the day but had a mixed week. Winter wheat closed lower on the day and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2725/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2775/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.17/bushel, up $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $317.1/short ton, up $4.4 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Crop Balance Sheet Forecasts

Ahead of next week’s USDA’s Crop Production and WASDE reports, WPI offers our latest projections for the corn, soybean, and wheat balance sheets. The key findings from this effort are that corn and soybean supplies are set to expand on upward yield revisions. Too, demand for corn an...

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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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