World Perspectives

Farm Fuel Cost Outlook

Over the past four weeks diesel prices have started to rally moving toward harvest season. The question remains whether this is temporary or a longer-term trend.  From a regional perspective, Midwest distillate inventories for the week of 14 July were the highest recorded for the region since February of 2022. Inventories in the Midwest usually build rapidly in the summer, although that didn’t occur in 2022. Last year, low inventories in the Midwest persisted through the first half of the summer and into the harvest season, when distillate stocks typically draw an average of about 8 million barrels out of inventory from September through November.   The 2023 spring maintenance slowdown was heavy in the Midwest drawi...

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How Will Soybeans’ Uncertain Outlook Affect Other Commodities?

November soybean futures’ recent move below the psychologically important $10.00 threshold has triggered concerns about weakness there affecting other markets. The question of how soybeans could impact other markets is germane because the oilseed is facing larger and more rapid adjustment...

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry Bulk Markets  The dry bulk market rally of the past two weeks has ended with rates turning softer this week. The Capesize sector – which lead the recent rally – is now leading the way lower with the Panamax sector in tow. The reason for the weaker rates is that fresh cargo...

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Market Commentary: New Highs and Lows, Mixed Volume and Results

December corn closed higher for a second session in a row, no doubt aided by the daily export sales reported by USDA. By contrast and since its recent high back on 18 July, both the September and November soybean contracts have closed lower each session but one.   There was higher vol...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

How Will Soybeans’ Uncertain Outlook Affect Other Commodities?

November soybean futures’ recent move below the psychologically important $10.00 threshold has triggered concerns about weakness there affecting other markets. The question of how soybeans could impact other markets is germane because the oilseed is facing larger and more rapid adjustment...

WPI Grain Transportation Report

Dry Bulk Markets  The dry bulk market rally of the past two weeks has ended with rates turning softer this week. The Capesize sector – which lead the recent rally – is now leading the way lower with the Panamax sector in tow. The reason for the weaker rates is that fresh cargo...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: New Highs and Lows, Mixed Volume and Results

December corn closed higher for a second session in a row, no doubt aided by the daily export sales reported by USDA. By contrast and since its recent high back on 18 July, both the September and November soybean contracts have closed lower each session but one.   There was higher vol...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: Cage-Free Egg Trend Complicates HPAI Recovery

USDA released its Egg Products report yesterday. Shell eggs broken totaled 199 million dozen during June 2025, down 2 percent from June 2024, but 2 percent above the 194 million dozen broken during May. During calendar year 2025 through June, shell eggs broken totaled 1.15 billion dozen, down 1...

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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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