Tyne Morgan of the U.S. Farm Report points out that U.S. farm income is facing its largest drop in value in 2024 and its largest ever two year drop in real value when adding 2023 to the calculus. It is a $90 billion drop in two years and farmers appear to be holding on to their supplies in hopes of surviving the current drop in commodity prices. The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on 23 July and learned that farmers are running out of the liquidity they had built up during the seven good years of 2015-2022. That raises stress and major suppliers like John Deere are starting to reduce output in recognition that the good times are gone. Although rural voters already lean toward Republicans, the issue could reverberate in thi...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
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.