The anguish among U.S. agricultural producers over the U.S. trade disputes with China and, particularly, the latter’s retaliatory tariffs on their soybeans, grains, pork and other products is understandably strong. Soybean farmers planted a record amount of acreage last spring in anticipation of large and growing demand from China, but their outlook changed in July with implementation of its 25 percent tariff on that commodity. U.S. soybean prices, both futures and cash basis, collapsed so sharply that this crop suddenly became unprofitable for many. As time passed without any sign of progress in settling the dispute or even any serious negotiating efforts, fear has grown that the soybean tariff, effectively an embargo on imports of...
Fabiana is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, native to dry slopes in western South America.[1] They are evergreen shrubs or subshrubs,[1] with needle-like leaves and profuse tiny tubular flowers in summer. The common name is false heath because the leaves superficially resem...
An Ankylosaurus lumbers along the shore of what’s now eastern Montana. Walking low to the ground, the dino uses its flat, leaf-shaped teeth to tear at ferns lining the water. Suddenly, a shadow looms over the herbivore—a Tyrannosaurus rex is hungry. But Ankylosaurus won’t be a...
The magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata) is the sole living representative species of the family Anseranatidae. This waterbird is found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea.[2] The species is not truly migratory but it sometimes travels large distances to find food and water, especiall...
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.