The Observer reports Chinese President Xi Jinping declaring that his country must boldly pursue agricultural biotechnology and not allow foreign companies to dominate it. However, China is then holding back on introducing its own traits. Upside Down Incentives The Obama administration is turning Ronald Reagan's characterization of the government's economic management on its head. Reagan said that government approached economic activity as follows: "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $52 million in federal grants to help "Grow Organic and Local Food Economies." USDA's own figures show that the organic food sector is expanding by 11 percent a year...
With considerable fanfare—and few specifics—USDA last week announced its Great American Cotton Plan for 2026-2031. Secretary Brooke Rollins and industry leaders described the initiative as a comprehensive strategy to address the persistent challenges facing U.S. cotton production, d...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.