World Perspectives

Terrible Trade Negotiators; Polticized Trade

Terrible Trade Negotiators Donald Trump’s accusation about the trade negotiators from past administrations was that they were terrible. However, the evidence is not stacking up very well for his own negotiators. Consider the following:

Canada and the EU reached a bilateral trade agreement in which Ottawa recognized Europe’s geographic indicators that are strongly opposed by U.S. agricultural producers. Japan negotiated a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico but refuses to negotiate one with the U.S. The EU isn’t negotiating a trade agreement with the U.S., but it did complete a bilateral agreement with Mexico in which 99 percent of products will be duty-free, including 98 percent upon entry into force. Mexico City a...

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livestock

Cattle on Feed - April 1 2026

U.S. cattle on feed totaled 11.6 million head on April 1, 2026, 1 percent below April 1, 2025.  Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.71 million head, 7 percent below 2025.  Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million head, 6 percent below 2025.  Other disa...

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May 26 Corn closed at $4.4875/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.9125/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.6725/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $331.8/short ton, down $0...

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Market Commentary: Rebound for Corn, Beans on Iran News; Wheat Declines

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Cattle on Feed Report: Neutral

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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