Recessions and Farm Bills Roughly 52 percent of respondents to WPI’s recent survey (see graph below) believe that a global recession is less likely in 2018/19, and 34 percent thought one is more likely to occur during that timeframe. Meanwhile, South Africa fell into recession this week. Most economists believe that 2020 is probably the end period for what has been the longest U.S. economic recovery in history. Our latest survey asks when the next U.S. farm bill will be enacted; the current law expires at the end of this month. A Senate-House conference committee began negotiating on a draft bill today. Negotiators hope to complete their work in ten days, which would allow sufficient time for the Congressional Budget Office to &ldqu...
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.