Unsteadying U.S.-Mexico Meat Trade Mexico is a major supplier of feeder cattle to the United States. This is an important role given the fact that the U.S. beef herd is as small as it is. However, Mexico has suffered the same drought conditions as those in the Southwest U.S., and its herd has diminished as well. A sign of that is the shift from steer exports to heifer exports last year. This year's supply will be down. Traditionally, imports from Mexico follow a five- to six-year cycle of highs and lows, but this year's drop-off may take more time to recover. As of the week ending 24 May, receipts of Mexican feeder cattle were estimated to be 12,000 head compared to last year's 30,735 head. Much of what comes in as feeder cattle is ret...
A microlith is a small stone tool usually made of flint or chert and typically several centimeters in length and half a centimetre wide. They were made by humans from at least the Upper Paleolithic, across Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. The microliths were used in spear points and arrowhea...
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...
The common ostrich (Struthio camelus), or simply ostrich, is a species of flightless bird native to certain areas of Africa (and historically, Arabia) and is the largest living species of bird. The common ostrich is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus St...
From WPI Consulting
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.