The Senate Agriculture Committee's farm bill provides up to $10 million per year for a new pilot program on weather index crop insurance. The provision states that USDA, at its own discretion, may conduct a pilot program providing producers of underserved crops and livestock (including specialty crops) with financial assistance to purchase an index-based weather insurance product from a private insurance company. The language was sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).Under the provision, USDA may pay a portion of the premium for producers who purchase index-based weather insurance for a crop and/or policy that is not reinsured under the Standard Reinsurance Agreement. The premium subsidy cannot exceed 60 percent of the estimated pre...
What You Need to Know Today: Cattle futures extended their sharp selloff Friday as weakening cash cattle prices, deteriorating feedlot profitability, and reduced packer demand continued to weigh on the market. The inability of futures to sustain a rally following last week's bullish Cattle on...
Markets are getting into the Halloween spirit, handing out more tricks than treats. There has been some encouraging news, but it hasn’t been enough to slow the broader slide. Now buyers need to show up with something other than another “Charlie Brown” rock for the bag. Somethi...
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.