World Perspectives
livestock

Cattle on Feed Pre-Report

With the Good Friday holiday tomorrow, USDA will release the monthly Cattle on Feed report, detailing the number on feed as of 1 April, today after the markets close. Pre-report forecasts peg the total inventory in feedlots of 1,000 head capacity at 101.8 percent of last year. Note that the previous month’s report was expected to show a slight reduction, but it instead came in with the 27th straight month of year-over-year increases.

Despite the continuing expansion of cattle on feed inventory (assuming the expectations are correct this month), there are several factors to consider in the cattle market equation. First, the African swine fever (ASF) situation in China increases export demand for pork and helps ensure both pork and h...

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livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Beef packer margins reversed sharply to -$17/head from $120/head the prior week, as rising fed cattle prices more than offset a modest decline in the Choice cutout. Fed cattle prices increased $12.92/cwt from the prior week while the cutout slipped $3.24/cwt, compressing gross margins and pushi...

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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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