Periodically, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) compiles a report that profiles the U.S. farming sector. The most recent one, released earlier this week, offers a needed dose of reality and deserves wider attention than it will probably receive.Periodically, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) compiles a report that profiles the U.S. farming sector, and the most recent one was released earlier this week. This deserves wider attention than it will probably receive because the general public’s degree of familiarity and understanding of the farming industry seems to be in steady decline. Yes, we do refer to farming as an industry even though there are still some romantics who view it as a spiritual calling. However, most U.S. farms are...
What You Need to Know Today: A third U.S. border crossing (Columbus, New Mexico) has reopened to Mexican cattle imports following nearly two years of restrictions related to New World screwworm. The reopening could gradually improve feeder cattle availability, although more than 60 confi...
Yesterday, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a new report of negotiated cash purchases of cattle under the mandatory price report. The report included Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. The goal of the report was to solve the confidentiality issues e...
Key Takeaways: U.S. soybean crushing began in 1911 and saw its most rapid expansion during the 1930s amid the broader agricultural and technology revolutions of the time. After peaking in the early 2000s, the soybean crushing industry went through a downturn as poor crush margins forced...
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.