World Perspectives
livestock

Cow-Calf Profitability Improves, Indicates Herd Rebuilding

Southern Plains cow-calf producers’ margin outlook continues to improve despite the recent pullback in feeder cattle prices. Returns on an inflation-adjusted basis remain below those of 2014 and 2015 but are now within striking distance of those records and could easily break them this fall. The improved profitability suggests producers will be expanding the beef cow herd and retaining heifers this fall, with beef heifers retained for breeding expected to increase 6 percent from 2024. 2025 Outlook U.S. cow-calf producers continue to see record-breaking market conditions that are creating excellent opportunities for operations to see record or near-record profits again this year. WPI readers are already likely well aware of the record...

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livestock

Cattle on Feed on August 1, 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed totaled 10.9 million head on August 1, 2025 and was 2 percent below August 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.60 million head, 6 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.75 million head, 6 percent below 2024.  Oth...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Some Odds, Some Ends, Some Notable Developments

Grain and oilseed contracts traded mixed to lower on Friday, torn between being over-weight against large yields, and under bought in the face of a late summer loss of moisture combined with a litany of potentially damaging disease outbreaks.  The number of foliar diseases that have been s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.115/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2725/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.585/bushel, up $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $291.5/short ton, down $2.7...

livestock

Cattle on Feed on August 1, 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed totaled 10.9 million head on August 1, 2025 and was 2 percent below August 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.60 million head, 6 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.75 million head, 6 percent below 2024.  Oth...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Some Odds, Some Ends, Some Notable Developments

Grain and oilseed contracts traded mixed to lower on Friday, torn between being over-weight against large yields, and under bought in the face of a late summer loss of moisture combined with a litany of potentially damaging disease outbreaks.  The number of foliar diseases that have been s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.115/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.2725/bushel, down $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.585/bushel, up $0.025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $291.5/short ton, down $2.7...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: Cattle on Feed Report

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today at 3 p.m.  Total cattle on feed amounted to 10.9 million head, 98 percent of last year.    Total placements were down 6 percent but were above the average pre-report estimate.  Marketings were down 6 percent, in...

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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