Livestock Challenges Mount for China’s Hog Producers Ongoing problems with breeding sows, the cost of piglets, falling live hog prices, and the high cost of corn are impacting the viability of small producers and finishing operations. This reality stands in contrast to recent pronouncements from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Last week, in an interview with China’s Central TV, a senior official from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of MARA stated the country’s hog supply had recovered enough to satisfy domestic consumption. He mentioned that the current sow inventory was able to supply about 690 million head of live hogs annually, and with the industry making major investments,...
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...
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...
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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.