As we reported on 15 March, time is marching toward the sequester on 1 March, unless Congress delays it (again.) The sequester would cut $85 billion from the baseline budget in an across-the-board manner from Defense spending and non-defense spending, though several categories of social programs (like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are exempt.As the deadline draws nearer, more scary stories are being reported and projected. The first is that the sequester would cut federal meat inspectors. Unlike past government shutdowns, when meat inspectors were kept on the job despite a budget impasse (1995-96), USDA says it has no discretion to keep meat inspectors on the job as critical employees because the sequester demands an acro...
Key Takeaways: Brazil confirmed a Newcastle disease outbreak at a commercial turkey farm in Santa Catarina on 18 October, raising concerns about potential disruptions to poultry exports despite the outbreak being confined to a single facility thus far. Mexico and Malaysia have imposed nationwi...
What You Need to Know Today: Harvest pressure in the U.S. sent corn and soybeans lower as supplies increased and there were signs USDA’s upward revisions to yields in the October WASDE could be close to right. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated over the weekend, with Ukrai...
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.