Today’s WASDE raised the projected estimate for red meat production by 0.9 percent over the January estimate and broiler production up just slightly. As USDA noted, “the beef production forecast is raised from the previous month primarily on higher cattle slaughter and heavier-than-expected early-year cattle weights” and “pork production is raised on higher expected hog slaughter as well as heavier carcass weights in the first half of the year.” As we noted on 4 February, heavy weights so far this year were going to push up the forecast regardless if high feed prices force some slimming into the year. Two weeks ago, the average cattle slaughter weight hit 1,400 pounds and last week it was 1,403 pounds. A...
Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming
WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.
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...