It was a mixed day with most of the volume and bullishness occurring in the soy complex as grains counted their losses. It didn’t help that export sales were underwhelming, and some bears are now holding out hope for a so-called Santa Clause rally to end the year on a cheerier note. Actually, the gift of stronger markets and prices is ahead in 2020 and beyond, at least if one adds up such sentiments. For example, • Argentine weather is still iffy, and if there is inadequate rain within the next couple of weeks, it could get ugly. • The supply of wheat is large, but so is demand and smaller crops are being reported in Australia, Russia and elsewhere. • Mexico’s corn imports are forecast to grow by 14 percent in...
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.