World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Roundup: WASDE Trims Cattle Price Outlook

The big news on the livestock side of today’s WASDE was USDA’s reduction in the fed cattle price forecast.

Prices for 2024 were trimmed by $3/cwt and USDA dropped its forecast for 2025 annual average prices by $5/cwt from $191/cwt last month to $186 this month. The supply and demand situation hasn’t changed significantly, but prices have been bearish. Last week was the first time since the first week of March 2023 (when prices exceeded those from the same week in 2015) that cattle prices fell below the previous weekly record.

The forecast for beef production was increased. The WASDE cited higher cow slaughter and heavier cattle weights in the second half of the year. Slaughter weights are up about 30 pounds from last...

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Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.275/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.7375/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.4975/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $312.5/short ton, down $1.3 fro...

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Cattle on Feed Report: Bullish Outlook

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released Friday. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity was 11.5 million head, unchanged from last month, but 98 percent of last year. Marketings totaled 1.63 million head, or 87 percent of last year, in li...

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CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds expanding long positions across the major ag futures contracts for the fifth straight week. Funds added 95,000 contracts to their all-ags net long position, with buying in the soy complex driving about two-thirds of the increase.  The soy complex saw...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.275/bushel, up $0 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Wheat closed at $5.7375/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.4975/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close.  May 26 Soymeal closed at $312.5/short ton, down $1.3 fro...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Bullish Outlook

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released Friday. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity was 11.5 million head, unchanged from last month, but 98 percent of last year. Marketings totaled 1.63 million head, or 87 percent of last year, in li...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

CFTC COT Report Analysis

Friday’s CFTC report showed funds expanding long positions across the major ag futures contracts for the fifth straight week. Funds added 95,000 contracts to their all-ags net long position, with buying in the soy complex driving about two-thirds of the increase.  The soy complex saw...

livestock

Cattle on Feed - Feb 1, 2026

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots totaled 11.5 million head on February 1, 2026 - 2 percent below Feb 1, 2025.  Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.74 million head, 5 percent below 2025.  Marketings during January totaled 1.63 million head, 13 percent below 2025.   ...

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From WPI Consulting

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