At the end of June, there were 97.335 million birds depopulated due to HPAI; more than 75 percent at 73.5 birds, were egg layers. So far this month according to USDA, two more operations in Colorado have depopulated another 3.1 million birds, first on 8 July (1.8 million) and the second on 16 July (1.3 million). Not surprisingly, egg inventory last week was down about 2.4 percent compared to the week prior, and prices are up. Today’s Chicken and Eggs report from USDA pegs layers on 1 July at 305 million head. But that number is certainly reduced given recent events. Moreover, the 1 July total was down only 1 million birds from the 1 June total and even with the May total, despite the culling of 4.3 million birds at the end of M...
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...
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.