The July WASDE upped the projections for red meat production and trimmed the broiler forecast by 85 million pounds.
The beef forecast is up on heavier weights. To benchmark, the average slaughter weight last week at 1,383 pounds was up 39 pounds per head compared to a year ago. Much of that is due to lower cow slaughter – both dairy and beef cows – and a higher percent of the slaughter coming from fed steers and heifers. WPI has commented on this previously. Slaughter last week was 50.9 percent steers, 30.8 percent heifers, and 16.5 percent cows. For the same week last year, cows were 20.1 percent of total slaughter. Based on slaughter of 633,000, last year’s cow slaughter would have been about 127,20...
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...