World Perspectives

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: Cattle on Feed Preview

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report for 1 May will be released tomorrow. Analysts’ pre-report consensus estimates are for the total inventory on feed to be 101.4 percent of last year. Those estimates imply an on-feed inventory of 11.535 million head. This is the first year-over-yea...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Grains Drift Lower on Improved Weather, Pre-Holiday Selling

What You Need to Know Today: Chinese officials indicated that China and the U.S. have agreed to cut 10 percent tariffs on imports. Chinese officials confirmed that a “guiding target” has been set for purchases of U.S. agricultural goods, but fell short of confirming that the U.S. r...

Free Trade to State Direction; Transatlantic Concessions

Free Trade to State Direction  Conceptually, American farmers are huge winners under a free trade policy promising fair and equitable terms. As critics of President Trump’s trade wars will be quick to point out, “U.S. farmers have been some of the biggest beneficiaries of U.S...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.6575/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Wheat closed at $6.605/bushel, down $0.0675 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.9975/bushel, down $0.0975 from yesterday's close.  Jul 26 Soymeal closed at $330.9/short ton, down...

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