Reports of very high soybean yields across the Midwest continue. However, it also is clear that many farmers saw substantial losses this year because of a problem that is worse when there is a cool, wet spring. Brazil Agency Forecasts Larger Soy Crop in 2017 Brazil’s crop supply agency Conab today forecast that country’s 2017 soybean production will increase to 101.9-104 MMT with better weather versus the drought-impacted 2016 crop of 95.4 MMT. It expects the planted area planted to rise 0.6-2.7 percent and yields to be 6.1 percent higher.Most analysts are predicting that the expansion in soybean plantings will be less than in past years because of the poor profitability outlook for that crop and greater incentives to plant corn. The high...
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.