Aren't weather markets fun? For the third year in a row, the U.S. crop production has been bedeviled by various kinds and combinations of adverse weather ranging from too wet, too dry, too hot and too cold. The spring and summer growing season of this 2013/14 year has been unusually complex. At one time or another and in one region or another, crops have experienced three of those four conditions. So far, it has not been too cold although that is still a possibility and a risk.The level of volatility seen in grain and soy futures markets has been a popular topic since 2008 when markets rose to record heights by mid-year only to collapse later in the year. That price action was extreme enough that it captured political attention even among...
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.