The Market Early August delivered cooler air and rain showers, setting up good survival conditions for what is expected to be a return of heat and dryness, particularly to the west, over the coming week. The market reacted to the prospect of no rain for the next 10 days during a critical pod filling stage. November soybeans gained 45.75 this week. Perhaps betraying the dour news about China's economy is rising soybean values in the Middle Kingdom. September soyoil gained 4.16 cents and is priced at 68.29/pound, the highest thus far for the year. Oil demand is driven by biodiesel, and it has pushed crush margins to nearly $4/bushel. Soymeal is along for the ride, adding 30-cents this week to the December contract for a value of 389/S...
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
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.