USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. Total inventory, placements and marketings all came in lower than the pre-report estimates, though total inventory was at the same volume or higher than last year for the seventh consecutive month.
Placements came in well below the average pre-report consensus estimate. As WPI previewed yesterday, it’s cheaper to feed out cattle to heavier weights than it is to buy expensive feeder cattle. Plus, February saw a record number of placements for the month and feeder cattle supplies remain tight. As WPI noted on 22 March, for the March COF analysis: Looking ahead, next month’s report will show a drop in month-over-month marketings as there have been about four weeks of slaug...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
