The increased number of cases of the Omicron variant of COVID has been weighing somewhat on the cattle markets this past week. There is general chatter about higher levels of absenteeism due to Omicron, which has slowed down plant through-put. Slaughter today was down about 4,000 head compared to last week. Estimated week-to-date cattle slaughter is 450,000 head, compared to 475,000 head last week and 467,000 head last year for the same period. Hog slaughter so far this week is 1.853 million head compared to 1.885 million head last week and 1.96 million head last year. The supply of hogs compared to processing capacity is not as tight as it is for cattle, however. Negotiated cash cattle prices were $138.59 today, down from $14...
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.