The broiler production is looking strong for the new year. Chick hatching for placements in October was up 6 percent year-over-year. That’s the largest increase since May, when year-over-year comparisons reflected the height of the COVID disruptions in 2020. It takes about seven weeks for those chicks to reach slaughter.
Weekly egg sets have averaged about 4 percent above 2020 levels since April; egg sets are about a 10 week lead time to slaughter, but as we reported on 12 October, there has been a fertility problem in the broiler industry. The hatchability of egg sets has been running below last year. Simply, hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier. ...
What You Need to Know Today: The corn and soybean markets closed slightly higher in low-volume trade. The wheat market was mixed, with HRW continuing its downward trek on improved moisture. As expected, the bearish cattle on feed report drove down cattle prices and pulled hogs down with it. Mi...
Monday, 25 May is a U.S. holiday, and both the markets and our office will be closed. Please note that the next issue of Ag Perspectives will be published on Tuesday, 26 May. The WPI staff wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend...
USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.6 million head, 102 percent of last year. Source: USDA, WPI Placements were up, but part of that is attributable to persistent drought c...
