World Perspectives
feed-grains soy-oilseeds livestock

Heifer Slaughter Higher in July; Red Meat Exports

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) today released the July beef and pork export volumes and values, which are totaled from USDA statistics. Beef exports were up in volume but down in value, and pork exports were up in both. Heifer Slaughter Higher in July Cattle cycles are a period of time during which the number of beef cattle in the nation is alternately expanded and reduced for several consecutive years in response to perceived changes in profitability. These cycles are measured from trough to trough, and the U.S. entered a new one in 2015, moving from herd liquidation to herd expansion. This was built on heifer retention that began in 2014. Recent cattle cycles have typically seen more years of decreasing inventory. To that point...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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U.S. grain transportation markets are slowly recovering from the shocks of bitter cold weather and low water levels on the Mississippi River System and from the surge in export demand. The latter is also causing strong rallies in ocean freight markets, particularly in the Atlantic basin. With g...

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livestock

Livestock Round Up: Cattle Margins and Distribution

The recent February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report forecast beef production to increase in 2026 due to greater slaughter of steers and heifers, increased cow slaughter, and heavier dressed weights, all of which will provide some relief to the beef market. Also, th...

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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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