World Perspectives
livestock

Quality Beef Demand

Yesterday, WPI covered the export demand for pork, and how that could help support hog prices moving forward, along with some other factors like lower feed costs. Below is a look at cattle prices and domestic beef demand. Cattle prices remain at record levels, surpassing the previous records of 2014 and 2015.   

For context, the cattle herd entering 2024 is the smallest since 1951, as beef demand remains strong. Notably, the previous low point for the cattle herd in 2014 was the lowest since 1952, yet beef demand was not as strong a decade ago. Beef production hit records in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Production decreased in 2023 year-over-year for the first time in seven years, albeit down from a record level, due to a small...

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Farmland Consolidation

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Summary of Futures

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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The CBOT markets were surprisingly insulated from a jump in crude oil that started the week. Crude oil futures rallied to $115/brl - their highest levels since the earliest days of the U.S.-Iran war - on rhetoric from the White House that signaled an escalation in the conflict. While the oil he...

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WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 6 April)

Update for 6 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where ob...

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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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