World Perspectives

Mixed Signals on the Economy, Trade and Monetary Policy

The Federal Reserve has released it Beige Book summary of economic conditions around the country. Prominent was the plight of the ag economy, specifically deteriorating cash flow, credit payments and investment spending. Meanwhile, recent economic data together with the uncertain trade situation cloud up the crystal ball in terms of forecasts for the general economy. There have been several notable developments. - The April trade deficit was down to $50.8 billion from $51.9 billion in March. The drop was on both sides of the ledger sheet (i.e., reduced exports and imports). Exports were at their lowest monthly total in three years, but half of the decline was due to a drop in aircraft orders for Boeing due to the safety concerns over its 7...

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Livestock Industry Margins

The pork industry saw production margins improve last week as strong pork demand lifted prices for both the pork cutout and physical hogs. Pork packer margins ticked slightly higher as gains in the pork market outpaced those in the hog market while higher lean hog futures and a slight dip in fe...

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Market Commentary: Cattle Hit New Records while Wheat Hits New Lows; Planting in Focus

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Quick Hits

Canadian Elections: Canada is going to the polls today. Earlier in the year, the Liberal Party was out of favor in Canada, but Trump’s talk of the 51st State has changed the dynamics of the election. Canada has six time zones, so the final results will be in late tonight.  SCP Safegu...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

The pork industry saw production margins improve last week as strong pork demand lifted prices for both the pork cutout and physical hogs. Pork packer margins ticked slightly higher as gains in the pork market outpaced those in the hog market while higher lean hog futures and a slight dip in fe...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Cattle Hit New Records while Wheat Hits New Lows; Planting in Focus

The CBOT was mostly lower to start the week with expectations of favorable planting progress in this afternoon’s Crop Progress report creating much of the pressure. Wheat was the big loser for the day with favorable weather in the major growing regions prompting a strong wave of selling f...

Quick Hits

Canadian Elections: Canada is going to the polls today. Earlier in the year, the Liberal Party was out of favor in Canada, but Trump’s talk of the 51st State has changed the dynamics of the election. Canada has six time zones, so the final results will be in late tonight.  SCP Safegu...

Hard Hit with Benefits; American Consumerism; AI’s Trump Trade Solution

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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