World Perspectives
feed-grains livestock

Squeeze on Hamburger

The current small herd  means pressures on producers for herd expansion, which means less culling and a lower cow slaughter. This has the potential to change the dynamics for cow plants and beef grind as well as, ultimately, the hamburger supply. Squeeze on Hamburger Earlier this year, a Rabobank report caught the attention of many in the cattle business by reporting that the U.S. had become a hamburger nation. According to the report, more than 60 percent of beef consumed in the U.S. is in this form. That led to questioning about whether the U.S. cattle industry should shift more production away from fed cattle intended to improve middle meat cuts to more emphasis on a higher percentage of cheaper beef raised for hamburger. At the t...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Volume Gives Way as Bearish Slide Moderates

There was lower volume in the grain pits today, with perhaps some stronger interest in the last few days of holiday shopping. Traders were not buying corn or soybeans for their loved ones today, but maybe a wee bit of HRS, which closed up today and uniquely was higher for the week. There were...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Record Low Placements, Second Lowest Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.7 million head, 98 percent of last year.    Placements were the lowest for the month of November since the series began in 1996, dropping 11 percent on the year due to a tight cattle su...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4375/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.0975/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.4925/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $297.6/short ton, down $0.8...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Volume Gives Way as Bearish Slide Moderates

There was lower volume in the grain pits today, with perhaps some stronger interest in the last few days of holiday shopping. Traders were not buying corn or soybeans for their loved ones today, but maybe a wee bit of HRS, which closed up today and uniquely was higher for the week. There were...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report: Record Low Placements, Second Lowest Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.7 million head, 98 percent of last year.    Placements were the lowest for the month of November since the series began in 1996, dropping 11 percent on the year due to a tight cattle su...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.4375/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.0975/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.4925/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soymeal closed at $297.6/short ton, down $0.8...

livestock

It’s Official, Cow-Calf Profits Hit Record for 2025

December is upon us and the fall calf run all but ended, the beef industry is finalizing its estimates of 2025 profitability and market performance. For cow-calf producers, the results from all but the last two weeks of the year indicate profits easily hit a record high, even on an inflation-ad...

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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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