Today’s WASDE made marginal changes to the projections for red meat and broiler production for the second half of the year.
The beef forecast is up from last month on expected slaughter totals, which is offsetting the smaller gap in weights compared to last year. In July, slaughter weights were 39 pounds heavier than in 2023; so far this month they are about 29 pounds heavier. With the corn outlook in today’s WASDE, slaughter weights could increase again impacting overall beef production. While beef production so far this year is down only 1.4 percent to date on the year (forecast down 0.9 percent year-over-year) with slaughter down 4.3 percent year to date, as herd rebuilding starts, fewer heifers will be avail...
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...
