Operating margins for shuttle loaders have been exceptionally good in recent years because of good crops and strong demand, but are now becoming more compressed as additional facilities come on line and the competition for volume again starts to heat up.CoBank recently published a very good article on how the number of grain shuttle loading facilities has reached the saturation point, and I couldn't agree more. I started in the grain business back in the mid-70s when single car rail shipments were still the norm for most of the U.S. The exceptions were the big trains that moved from Illinois directly to the Louisiana Gulf. U.S. railroads were still regulated at that time. Deregulation came with the Staggers Act in 1980, which led to unbelie...
What You Need to Know Today: Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans continued to accelerate, with USDA reporting another 558 KMT sold to China and 236 KMT to unknown destinations. Combined with sales announced Wednesday and Thursday, the latest purchases bring the three-day total to approximately...
Key Takeaways: With the fall calf run now upon us, producers are finally getting a glimpse of what their realized profits will be for 2026. Some producers may have already obtained a strong estimate of 2026 revenues, especially if calves were forward sold in, for example, the mid-summer...
As fall begins, wild migratory birds are starting their seasonal migration. That has the industry and government officials worried about the potential spread, again, of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Some members of Congress have called for the United States to be prepared for a pote...
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.