USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. Total inventory, placements and marketings all came in lower than the pre-report estimates, though total inventory was at the same volume or higher than last year for the seventh consecutive month.
Placements came in well below the average pre-report consensus estimate. As WPI previewed yesterday, it’s cheaper to feed out cattle to heavier weights than it is to buy expensive feeder cattle. Plus, February saw a record number of placements for the month and feeder cattle supplies remain tight. As WPI noted on 22 March, for the March COF analysis: Looking ahead, next month’s report will show a drop in month-over-month marketings as there have been about four weeks of slaug...
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) enters its mandated six-year review on July 1. The original intent of the review is outlined in Article 34.7, which obligates members to: Provide recommendations and decide on appropriate actions. Extend the USMCA for another 16 years and meet aga...
Key Market Insights Geopolitical Limbo: Geopolitical risk remained a key driver across global commodity markets today. President Trump stated that the Iran memorandum of understanding is not yet final and warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail. Both sides continue w...
Key Takeaways: Drought remains a major threat to global agricultural production, particularly in regions with limited rainfall and growing water scarcity. Commercially available drought-tolerant traits in corn, soybeans, and wheat have generally delivered modest yield improvements, limiting th...