World Perspectives
livestock

Cattle on Feed Report

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.5 million head, or 97 percent of last year. Placements were higher than forecast, and marketings were near pre-report estimates. This was the quarterly report showing steers and heifers on feed. Steers made up 61 percent of the cattle on feed, while heifers accounted for 39 percent. Both groups were down 3 percent from last year, with heifers holding steady. The beginning-of-the-year Cattle Inventory report will be released on 30 January and will show the total number of heifers, providing an indication of herd rebuilding. By state, cattle inventory was up in Nebraska, steady in Kansas, and down to 91 percent in Texas, illustrating the effect...

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.305/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.295/bushel, up $0.14 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6775/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $299.9/short ton, up $3.7 from y...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for January 9-15, 2026. Wheat: Net sales of 618,100 metric tons (MT) for 2025/2026 were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 372,400 MT were up 23 percent from the previous week, but down 3 percent from the prior...

wheat energy

Water Wars: 2026 Edition

Water is the world’s most important commodity, but also its most underappreciated—until scarcity starts. Water scarcity runs in cycles, and reports of shortages, debates on policy, and conflicts about ownership and usage pop up every few years with the reliability and sameness of Fa...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.305/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.295/bushel, up $0.14 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.6775/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $299.9/short ton, up $3.7 from y...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Export Sales

Export Sales and Shipments for January 9-15, 2026. Wheat: Net sales of 618,100 metric tons (MT) for 2025/2026 were up noticeably from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average. Export shipments of 372,400 MT were up 23 percent from the previous week, but down 3 percent from the prior...

wheat energy

Water Wars: 2026 Edition

Water is the world’s most important commodity, but also its most underappreciated—until scarcity starts. Water scarcity runs in cycles, and reports of shortages, debates on policy, and conflicts about ownership and usage pop up every few years with the reliability and sameness of Fa...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: General Equilibrium with Weather and War

Outside markets continued their reversal higher following the rescission of President Trump’s tariff threats against Europe. Ukraine’s grain exports are stymied by Russian attacks, with both sides seemingly inching forward on talks, but a survey of former diplomats shows 80 percent...

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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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