It is not easy to change long-entrenched, negative public perceptions about futures markets and speculators, much less explain why they are important in everyday lives and the public’s well-being. Yet, that difficulty is not a reason to avoid making the attempt.Earlier this week, the Commodity Markets Council (CMC) held its annual State of the Industry meeting where a variety of speakers presented their views on the derivatives industry, its problems, opportunities and, ultimately, its future. The CMC morphed directly from the old National Grain Trade Council in recognition that the industry involves much more than grain. This year the CMC will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the combined organizations. Not surprisingly, the consensus vie...
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
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.