There is still some slack in the beef processing sector, reportedly related to the Omicron variant and labor availability. Cattle slaughter today was 116,000 head, compared to 122,000 for the same week last year. Wednesday’s slaughter was 115,000, Tuesday’s slaughter was 117,000 and Monday’s, 113,000 head – which indicates that there was some effort at getting harvest ahead of the supply since Monday was a federal holiday. For the year, slaughter is about 5 percent below 2021. Wrapping up 2021, beef production was 101 percent of 2020, with slaughter last year also 101 percent of 2020. Pork production and slaughter were 96 percent of 2020. Hog weights were down two pounds on the year and cattle weights were up three...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
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.