World Perspectives
biofuel

Infrastructure Plan: Ag Provisions and Politics

Last week, President Biden unveiled a major $2 trillion infrastructure package, the American Jobs Plan. From agriculture’s perspective, the plan is a mixed bag, but mostly positive proposals in terms of infrastructure upgrades. Inland waterways, ports, and in-land ports of entry would receive $17 billion in funding for upgrades; Rural broadband – and the adoption of ag tech which depends on broadband – would benefit from the $100 billion in funding for broadband connectivity; Roads and bridges would receive $115 billion in funding for upgrades, starting with the “most economically significant large bridges in the country in need of reconstruction” and include “the worst 10,000 smaller bridg...

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livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins were positive for the second straight week with holiday grilling demand supporting the beef market and packer profits. Packers have done an incredible job managing margins this summer and in just  three weeks swung from the deepest losses on record to well above breakev...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Monday’s delayed CFTC report showed managed money traders shifting from a neutral to a more bearish sentiment across the ag space. Funds added 63,000 contacts (360 percent) to their small net short across all ag futures last week and now hold a bearish position of 81,000 contracts short...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Sink on Ideal Weather; Cattle Rally Despite Feeder Imports Resuming

Grain markets gapped-lower on the Sunday night opening after a weekend of uneventful and favorable weather that was absent of any significant trade news. The weakness continued into the day session with corn and soybeans turning in the biggest losses for the day as the weather outlook continues...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins were positive for the second straight week with holiday grilling demand supporting the beef market and packer profits. Packers have done an incredible job managing margins this summer and in just  three weeks swung from the deepest losses on record to well above breakev...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Monday’s delayed CFTC report showed managed money traders shifting from a neutral to a more bearish sentiment across the ag space. Funds added 63,000 contacts (360 percent) to their small net short across all ag futures last week and now hold a bearish position of 81,000 contracts short...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Sink on Ideal Weather; Cattle Rally Despite Feeder Imports Resuming

Grain markets gapped-lower on the Sunday night opening after a weekend of uneventful and favorable weather that was absent of any significant trade news. The weakness continued into the day session with corn and soybeans turning in the biggest losses for the day as the weather outlook continues...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 7 July)

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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