Farm Bill Bedfellows Populist farm groups like the National Farmers Union (NFU) typically back Democrats, but it is House GOP leaders who are echoing NFU complaints about the Senate Agriculture Committee passed farm bill. NFU is first and foremost for a supply management approach, but that lacks support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, Republicans sounded like the NFU at yesterday's House hearing on the farm bill as they railed against the Senate bill's lack of protection against a long-term commodity price collapse. This could be solved by adding back in target price protection, but that would require more of what the consensus agrees is in short supply: budget resources. Odd Victory At yesterday's CropLife America Annual...
Beef packer margins deteriorated to $141/head last week, down $55 from the prior week as fed cattle prices strengthened while the Choice cutout remained nearly unchanged. The cutout held near $373/cwt while fed cattle prices climbed $4/cwt to $224/cwt, narrowing processor profits. Despite the d...
What You Need to Know Today: Corn and soybeans were under heavy selling pressure as weaker (or at least as-expected) export demand runs into an accelerating harvest pace with more grain available in the spot market. Corn and soybean harvest progress remains below average across the U.S., espec...
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.