USDA released its annual Cattle Inventory report this week, which showed the cattle herd expanded enough in 2016 to impact beef production through 2018. Meanwhile, continued strong demand is supporting the pork sector. Cattle Expansion to Push Beef Production According to USDA’s Cattle Inventory report, all cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market totaled 13.1 million head on 1 January. That is down 1 percent from the previous year and explains the increase in fat cattle prices,which have driven gross margins for packers down nearly 40 percent on the year.However, there are plenty of cattle coming through the pipeline. All cattle and calves in the U.S. as of 1 January totaled 93.6 million head, up 1.8 percent from the previous y...
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...
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...
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...
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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.