World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Round-Up

Cattle Market to Tighten in 2020 Going into 2020, the beef cattle inventory is likely to be down. The cattle inventory data will be released by USDA on 31 January, but based on 2019 trends, it is likely to be down from the herd as of January 2019, which, at 94.8 million head was slightly larger than at the start of 2018. The cattle cycle has been up since January 2014, when the herd hit 70-plus year low at 88.2 million head.   But, 2019 saw herd liquidation as heifer retention decreased and the number of females in the slaughter mix increased. Through the end of November, beef cow slaughter was up 3 percent, the highest in more than five years. Dairy cow slaughter was up 2.3 percent. This is the fifth year of increased total cow...

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soy-oilseeds

WPI U.S. State Soybean Yield and Production Forecasts

Following WPI’s discussion on Friday of state-level corn yield and production estimates, we offer the following outlook for the U.S. soybean crop on a state-by-state basis. Like corn, the size and yield potential of the 2025 U.S. soybean crop is of increasing debate with the USDA’s...

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CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed managed money traders breaking a three-week trend of net short covering in the ag space as managed money traders expanded their almost-neutral positions. The expansion of short holdings came primarily from selling across the three soy complex contracts and from...

Japan–U.S. Trade Deal Implemented

The U.S.-Japan trade deal is now in place. It provides for a 15 percent tariff on most goods entering from Japan. For goods that were subject to tariffs less than 15 percent will now face higher duties at 15 percent, but goods that faced duties of 15 percent or higher will not increase. The tar...

soy-oilseeds

WPI U.S. State Soybean Yield and Production Forecasts

Following WPI’s discussion on Friday of state-level corn yield and production estimates, we offer the following outlook for the U.S. soybean crop on a state-by-state basis. Like corn, the size and yield potential of the 2025 U.S. soybean crop is of increasing debate with the USDA’s...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed managed money traders breaking a three-week trend of net short covering in the ag space as managed money traders expanded their almost-neutral positions. The expansion of short holdings came primarily from selling across the three soy complex contracts and from...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.18/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.1925/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.27/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, up $0.3 fro...

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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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