World Perspectives
livestock

Cattle Inventory Report: U.S. Cattle Herd Still in Contraction

USDA released its January Cattle Inventory report today. The U.S. cattle herd is still in a contraction phase.  The total inventory of all cattle and calves as of 1 January was 86.7 million head, down 500,000 head from last year. Key numbers from today’s report are: The cattle on feed estimate showed 87.2 percent on feedlots of 1,000 head or more capacity, slightly higher than last year.  The combined total of calves under 500 pounds, other heifers, plus steers over 500 pounds, representing the number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots, was 24.6 million head, just slightly below 1 January 2024. The 1 January number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots is the lowest since 2015. Feeder cattle outside feed lots make up 63 p...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Low Holiday Cheer

Grain markets traded without conviction today, see-sawing around unchanged and with modest volume. Aggies had WASDE day and outside markets had Fed day, and both events this week were kind of a bust. Some might consider it a positive to lack drama interrupting the holiday period, and that is th...

livestock

Livestock Round Up: WASDE Livestock

USDA’s World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report was released yesterday. The WASDE forecast corn exports for MY 2025-26 hitting a record high, topping the previous record of last year. The net change in the export forecast from a month ago was 125 million bushels, or a...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.465/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.335/bushel, up $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.935/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $302.1/short ton, up $0.9 from y...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Low Holiday Cheer

Grain markets traded without conviction today, see-sawing around unchanged and with modest volume. Aggies had WASDE day and outside markets had Fed day, and both events this week were kind of a bust. Some might consider it a positive to lack drama interrupting the holiday period, and that is th...

livestock

Livestock Round Up: WASDE Livestock

USDA’s World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report was released yesterday. The WASDE forecast corn exports for MY 2025-26 hitting a record high, topping the previous record of last year. The net change in the export forecast from a month ago was 125 million bushels, or a...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.465/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.335/bushel, up $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.935/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $302.1/short ton, up $0.9 from y...

No Trade Bailout; Statements Betray USMCA

No Trade Bailout The Trump Administration’s $12 billion economic assistance package to farmers is being framed by the media as a “bailout” for the adverse impact of the President’s tariffs and trade wars. But there is no adverse impact in most instances. Wheat prices hav...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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