Pork Plant Line Speeds USDA extended the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) faster line speed trial period for 90 days; the program was scheduled to expire on 30 November. There are six packing plants operating under the NSIS, located withing about 100 miles of approximately 40 percent of U.S. hog production. The expiration would have reduced hog processing operational capacity and weighed on already bearish hog prices. The National Pork Producers Council estimates that the lower processing throughput with a loss of the faster line speeds would push hog prices down about $10 per head in the near term. The extension will allow a study of the effects of the faster line speed impact on worker safety; data was collected during the trial, but...
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...
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.