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

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.1725/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.625/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $303.7/short ton, up $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Holding Breath for Monday’s WASDE

As expected, it was a lower volume trading day ahead of likely market moving USDA reports on Monday. The exceptions were HRS and lean hogs. There were also generally lower trading ranges. The soybean complex traded higher on strength in coproducts but the rest of the board was mostly in the red...

livestock

New World Screw Worm: A Threat to Dairy?

The dairy industry continues to evolve, though it is facing new challenges. Through September, milk production is up 97 pounds per head in 2025 over 2024 and has increased steadily for several years. Further, there is a migration in dairy cows, with the southern plains growing in cow numbers. T...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.1725/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.625/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $303.7/short ton, up $0...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Holding Breath for Monday’s WASDE

As expected, it was a lower volume trading day ahead of likely market moving USDA reports on Monday. The exceptions were HRS and lean hogs. There were also generally lower trading ranges. The soybean complex traded higher on strength in coproducts but the rest of the board was mostly in the red...

livestock

New World Screw Worm: A Threat to Dairy?

The dairy industry continues to evolve, though it is facing new challenges. Through September, milk production is up 97 pounds per head in 2025 over 2024 and has increased steadily for several years. Further, there is a migration in dairy cows, with the southern plains growing in cow numbers. T...

livestock

Where is the Hog Market Headed? Rosy Early Outlook for 2026.

Lean hog futures saw an unexpected rally to conclude 2025 with the market rebounding from an autumn selloff. The rebound was sufficiently strong to push deferred futures to new contract highs and nearby contracts just a few dollar shy of their contract highs. Despite this futures rally, physica...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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