World Perspectives

Hunger Games; Power of Deregulation

Hunger GamesDonald Trump’s Cabinet nominees are unconventional, far more so than in his first term as president. It could result in a shakeup of staid and static policy prescriptions, or it could amount to nothing more than a bunch of four-year-olds attempting to play soccer. The DNI nominee questions American power and the likely next Secretary of State is an advocate of aggressively using it. Isolationism appeals to the number two in the White House, but the Treasury Secretary is a conventional neoliberal. Then there is the food portfolio. RFK, Jr. was reportedly blind-sided by the selection of Brooke Rollins to run USDA. He had hoped for an ally that would help him break everything her agency does. That includes stopping big farms,...

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livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved for the fifth straight week and added about $68/head in profits to put returns to processing back in a very healthy range. Margins are now around $80/head, which is on part with the 2020-2015 average. The increase in margins comes as beef prices hover near all-time...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2175/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2375/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.3375/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.6/short ton, up $1.6 fr...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Technical Momentum Shifts at Odds with Fundamentals

The CBOT was mostly higher to start the week with technical factors driving short covering and some cautious fresh long buying. There wasn’t much from a fundamental standpoint to drive the move, but the technical picture is firming for most commodities. Corn saw substantial follow-through...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved for the fifth straight week and added about $68/head in profits to put returns to processing back in a very healthy range. Margins are now around $80/head, which is on part with the 2020-2015 average. The increase in margins comes as beef prices hover near all-time...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2175/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2375/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.3375/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.6/short ton, up $1.6 fr...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Technical Momentum Shifts at Odds with Fundamentals

The CBOT was mostly higher to start the week with technical factors driving short covering and some cautious fresh long buying. There wasn’t much from a fundamental standpoint to drive the move, but the technical picture is firming for most commodities. Corn saw substantial follow-through...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 8 September)

Update for 28 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where o...

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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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