World Perspectives

Market Commentary: Small Gains as Corn/Soybeans Correct and Wheat is Mixed

What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...

Today’s Top insights
livestock

U.S. Cattle on Feed on May 1, 2026

• U.S. Cattle on Feed Up in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on May 1, 2026 - 2 percent above May 1, 2025. • Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.70 million head - 6 percent above 2025.  • Marketings of fed cattle during April totale...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Neutral with Bearish Undertones

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...

livestock

Fake Meat? On the End of the Aisle

Let’s return briefly to the fake meat hype cycle, now sitting somewhere in a dusty corner of your mind, not entirely forgotten. What happened to all those products, known as plant-based alternative proteins? They were supposed to be as good as real meat—cheaper, more environmentally...

livestock

U.S. Cattle on Feed on May 1, 2026

• U.S. Cattle on Feed Up in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on May 1, 2026 - 2 percent above May 1, 2025. • Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.70 million head - 6 percent above 2025.  • Marketings of fed cattle during April totale...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Neutral with Bearish Undertones

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...

livestock

Fake Meat? On the End of the Aisle

Let’s return briefly to the fake meat hype cycle, now sitting somewhere in a dusty corner of your mind, not entirely forgotten. What happened to all those products, known as plant-based alternative proteins? They were supposed to be as good as real meat—cheaper, more environmentally...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.6325/bushel, up $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.4625/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.965/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $331.9/short ton, up $3.5 fr...

Memorial Day Holiday

Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.6325/bushel, up $0.01 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.4625/bushel, down $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.965/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $331.9/short ton, up $3.5 fr...

livestock

Cold Storage Report Summary and Analysis

April 2026 total red meat and poultry stocks were up sharply from March but 1.6 percent below April 2025 levels due to continued declines in poultry and pork stocks. Total poultry stocks were up 0.2 percent year-over-year (YoY) due to a slow expansion in broiler slaughter. Total pork stocks ros...

Transportation Perspectives - 21 May

Dry bulk markets were volatile but ultimately steady this week with notable differences in rate developments across vessel classes.  The Capesize sector, which led the recent rally in freight rates with its dramatic surge, pulled back slightly amid more cautious chartering activity, partic...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: A Market Trading War — Until It Wasn’t

Key Market Insights Macro markets delivered a full whipsaw today. Early in the session, crude oil had rallied back above $100/barrel as traders priced renewed concern over the U.S.-Iran standoff and potential supply risk through the Strait of Hormuz. That strength helped pull grains off their o...

New Trade Agreements; Hold the Beef; Where’s the Beef

New Trade Agreements U.S. and Indian officials say that bilateral trade negotiations are progressing on a comprehensive deal to expand earlier completed chapters on market access, NTBs and purchases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become more free trade oriented since consolidating his power...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.6225/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.475/bushel, down $0.13 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.9425/bushel, down $0.055 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $328.4/short ton, down $2...

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