World Perspectives
livestock

LH 2025 and 2026 Cattle Outlook Challenging for Packers, Favorable for Producers

The biggest question in the cattle and beef markets lately has been “when does the rally stop?” after beef values and fed and feeder cattle prices have all rallied to new all-time highs (beef prices if one ignores the brief rally during the COVID-19 plant closures). The fundamental drivers are well known – multiple years of cow herd liquidation, strong beef demand, and the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to feeder cattle imports – but the timing of when the party will end is far less clear. WPI’s most recent research indicates that the rallies in both live and feeder cattle prices have significant upside potential and will likely continue into 2026. The beef outlook is less bullish with prices expected to ess...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.22/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.315/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $282.5/short ton, down $1.3 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Macro Malaise and Yield Expectations Turn CBOT Lower

The CBOT was almost entirely lower across the major ag markets on Wednesday with large supply expectations for the 2025 Northern Hemisphere grain and oilseed crops driving the weakness. More crop tours in the U.S. confirm large corn yields and high soybean pod counts/yield potential, while the...

Prop 12 Counterattack; Assault on International Organizations; Japan on Point

Prop 12 Counterattack To the great disappointment of key parts of the U.S. agriculture sector, the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that California’s Prop 12 is constitutional, and that the state can establish its own rules on meat sold in the state regardless of its origin. The sect...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.22/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.315/bushel, down $0.095 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $282.5/short ton, down $1.3 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Macro Malaise and Yield Expectations Turn CBOT Lower

The CBOT was almost entirely lower across the major ag markets on Wednesday with large supply expectations for the 2025 Northern Hemisphere grain and oilseed crops driving the weakness. More crop tours in the U.S. confirm large corn yields and high soybean pod counts/yield potential, while the...

Prop 12 Counterattack; Assault on International Organizations; Japan on Point

Prop 12 Counterattack To the great disappointment of key parts of the U.S. agriculture sector, the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that California’s Prop 12 is constitutional, and that the state can establish its own rules on meat sold in the state regardless of its origin. The sect...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 3 September)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

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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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