Preliminary December broiler production was 3.8 billion pounds, which would bring 2022 annual production to 46.2 billion pounds. That is 103 percent of 2021.
The increase was driven by larger slaughter in the second half of 2022 and heavier bird weights in Q1 and, especially, in Q4.
Some of that momentum going into 2023 will be lost as hatchery data shows a drop back to nearer 2021 levels.
While still ahead of last year, it’s a dramatic drop from the trend beginning in June, but June is when wholesale chicken prices started to drop. Likewise, June was when chicken in cold storage moved toward month-over-month increases through the end of the year. As of December, total stocks in cold storage were 931.8 million pou...
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...