World Perspectives
feed-grains soy-oilseeds farm-inputs

Farm Balance Sheet Impact on Planting and the Farm Bill

What will continued low crop prices and debt accumulation mean for production and policy?Macroeconomic factors in 2016 (i.e., uneven global economic growth and shifting currency values) are still in play in 2017, according to USDA testimony at the House Agriculture Committee last week. Economic growth remains slower globally than in the U.S., leaving the U.S. dollar strong against the currencies of importing countries. In turn, that essentially increases the effective prices of imports in local currency despite large domestic and global stocks, which continue to be bearish on market prices for most commodities. Moreover, the strong U.S. dollar undermines U.S. commodity export competitiveness against other countries. In short, these macro fa...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: King Corn Flexes Dominance; Soybeans Rise on Acreage Data; Cattle Surge

The August WASDE is almost always a market-moving event for at least one commodity, and Tuesday’s report was no different. Tuesday’s trade started off with some trepidation after China increased the import duty on Canadian rapeseed to 75.8 percent, which caused canola futures to cra...

Consumption Taxes; Food Costs and Adaptation

Consumption Taxes This analyst erroneously implied that value added taxes are cumulative through the supply chain when in fact any VAT paid on an input is deductible, thus ensuring it is the final customer paying the tax. The VAT is an important discussion point because the Trump Administration...

soy-oilseeds

WASDE Soybeans - August 2025

USDA reduced their estimate for U.S. soybean production for 2025/26 to 4.3 billion bushels, down 43 million. U.S. ending stocks are forecast at 290 million bushels, down 20 million from last month. The U.S. seasonal average farm price for soybean is unchanged at $10.10 per bushel. The soybean m...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: King Corn Flexes Dominance; Soybeans Rise on Acreage Data; Cattle Surge

The August WASDE is almost always a market-moving event for at least one commodity, and Tuesday’s report was no different. Tuesday’s trade started off with some trepidation after China increased the import duty on Canadian rapeseed to 75.8 percent, which caused canola futures to cra...

Consumption Taxes; Food Costs and Adaptation

Consumption Taxes This analyst erroneously implied that value added taxes are cumulative through the supply chain when in fact any VAT paid on an input is deductible, thus ensuring it is the final customer paying the tax. The VAT is an important discussion point because the Trump Administration...

soy-oilseeds

WASDE Soybeans - August 2025

USDA reduced their estimate for U.S. soybean production for 2025/26 to 4.3 billion bushels, down 43 million. U.S. ending stocks are forecast at 290 million bushels, down 20 million from last month. The U.S. seasonal average farm price for soybean is unchanged at $10.10 per bushel. The soybean m...

feed-grains

WASDE Corn - August 2025

USDA’s first survey-based corn yield forecast is a record 188.8 bushels per acre, which is 7.8 bushels higher than last month’s projection. U.S. exports are increased 200 million bushels to a record 2.9 billion bushels. Regardless, U.S. ending stocks are up 457 million bushels to 2...

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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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