World Perspectives

Policy and Politics Quick Hits

Budget Extension Over the weekend – doesn’t it seem budget deals are always struck on weekends – Congressional leaders came to an agreement to extend the upcoming drop-dead dates for funding the government with a temporary stopgap funding continuing resolution (CR). As WPI reported on 8 January (here), with 12 days to go before deadline number one, Congressional leader came up with an outline of a bipartisan, bicameral agreement between the House Republican leadership and the Senate Democrat leadership. The new CR deal would keep the “laddered” approach to the government shutdown deadlines, grouping USDA and FDA appropriations with transportation, energy, and veterans’ affairs appropriations, but moving...

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WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 27 April)

Update for 6 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where ob...

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Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved to -$100/head last week, up $28 from the prior week as the Choice cutout stabilized following its brief post-Easter decline while fed cattle prices eased modestly. The cutout firmed to $384/cwt, while fed cattle prices slipped to $246/cwt, allowing packer margins to...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds adding to net long position across the major ag futures contracts after a two week break as deteriorating negotiations in the Middle East and the emergence of weather concerns triggered risk-on buying. Funds bought 40,000 contracts (4.7 percent) to their...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 27 April)

Update for 6 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where ob...

livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins improved to -$100/head last week, up $28 from the prior week as the Choice cutout stabilized following its brief post-Easter decline while fed cattle prices eased modestly. The cutout firmed to $384/cwt, while fed cattle prices slipped to $246/cwt, allowing packer margins to...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds adding to net long position across the major ag futures contracts after a two week break as deteriorating negotiations in the Middle East and the emergence of weather concerns triggered risk-on buying. Funds bought 40,000 contracts (4.7 percent) to their...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.6925/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.2975/bushel, up $0.13 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.92/bushel, up $0.135 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $327.8/short ton, up $8.7 from y...

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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.

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