World Perspectives

Obama Cuba Initiative to Face Congressional Hurdles

If this initiative is to move forward in any form from diplomatic relations to some sort of trade expansion over the next two years (the duration of the remaining years of Obama's term as well as the 114th Congress), it will be a complex political and policy process.With President Obama's announcement of his intent to "chart a new course on Cuba," there are a number of policy issues to be considered including:

The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 Helms/Burton legislation in 1996

Both of the above codified the embargo into statute. Thus, either the president's initiative would have to leverage democratic reforms in Cuba in order to trigger a review of the law or Congress must change the statute under these two legislative initiatives. With...

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Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.535/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.8375/bushel, up $0.155 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.7925/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $309.3/short ton, down $0.6 f...

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Market Commentary: Middle East Turmoil Keeps Commodities Higher

War-related upward pressure in petroleum prices continues to provide support to grain prices. Brent crude oil hit $85/barrel and WTI crude rose 8.5 percent, its biggest jump since July 2024 and the first time above $80/barrel in over a year. HRW hit its highest price in a year, corn broke throu...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for February 20-26, 2026. Wheat: Net sales of 203,100 metric tons (MT) for 2025/2026 were down 16 percent from the previous week and 42 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 348,900 MT were down 35 percent from the previous week and 24 percent fro...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 26 Corn closed at $4.535/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.8375/bushel, up $0.155 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.7925/bushel, up $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $309.3/short ton, down $0.6 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Middle East Turmoil Keeps Commodities Higher

War-related upward pressure in petroleum prices continues to provide support to grain prices. Brent crude oil hit $85/barrel and WTI crude rose 8.5 percent, its biggest jump since July 2024 and the first time above $80/barrel in over a year. HRW hit its highest price in a year, corn broke throu...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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Export Sales and Shipments for February 20-26, 2026. Wheat: Net sales of 203,100 metric tons (MT) for 2025/2026 were down 16 percent from the previous week and 42 percent from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 348,900 MT were down 35 percent from the previous week and 24 percent fro...

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Livestock Round Up: Preview of Feedlot Placements and Changing Canada Dynamics

Feeder cattle sales were up over a year ago in February, but much of that was due to February 2025 sales being light. Still, the increase in activity bears watching, both for what it implies about feedlot placements and for herd rebuilding.  In the four weeks ending February 27, total feed...

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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.

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