World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Livestock industry margins were decidedly mixed last week with diverging trends developing across the industry. Beef packer margins gained for the second straight week thanks to stronger beef prices that offset higher fed cattle prices, while feedlot margins dipped for both placements and closeouts Higher expected feed costs were the primary driver of the fourth straight week of declining feedlot placement margins with returns being negative for the third straight week. Closeout margins for feedlots fell from the prior week due to higher estimated feeder cattle purchase costs and greater cost of gain.  For the hog and pork industry, packer margins weakened slightly last week as hog prices rose slightly and the drop value dipped, both o...

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Market Commentary: Oil and Iran Conflict Still in Drivers’ Seat, but This Time Creating Pressure

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livestock

U.S. Cattle on Feed - March 2026

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.549 million head on March 1, 2026 – similar to  the year-ago total on March 1, 2025 of 11.577 head.  Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.61 million head - 4 percent above 2025.  Mark...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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