Markets are still trying to figure out the impact of 2019 weather on crop production and historical references only make it partially easier. Prices in the U.S. have been as volatile as the weather, shooting skyward when incessant spring rains descended and now stabilized lower as conditions have moderated. Now Europe faces its second heat wave of the summer with temperatures expected to rise 10 degrees Centigrade above normal. However, past moisture may carry the crop through. Since the year 2000, Europe has experienced hot and dry summers four times (2003, 2010, 2013 and 2015). However, smaller crop production was experienced more in 2003 and in 2007, a non-drought summer (see graph below). None of the four events has been consider...
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
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.