World Perspectives
livestock

Cattle Feeding Isn’t for Sissies

Cattle Feeding Isn't for Sissies Feedlots are facing a challenging year. Thus far in 2012, cattle supplies are about 2.455 times under feedlot capacity and won't improve significantly in 2013. Compare that to the late 1990s when supply was about 3.25 times capacity. That is going to force some stiff competition for sourcing in the feeding sector. Add to that high grain prices and an unknown outlook for next year, plus uncertainty in the retail and export markets for beef, and the feeding business isn't for sissies in the coming year. Feedlots are going to have to either commit to getting the supply for normal turnover, or basically bail. Rationalization in the sector is a given based on the overcapacity, and it may not be pretty to wat...

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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