World Perspectives
livestock

Cow-Calf Revenues Set Record in 2024, Profitability to Continue in 2025

The rally in feeder cattle and calf prices from September 2024 through mid-January 2025 provided cow-calf producers with near-record profitability for the 2024 calf crop. Higher prices for calves and feeder cattle, combined with record- or near-record high values for cull cows, pushed cow-calf operations’ revenues to new all-time highs in 2024. WPI’s early projections for 2025 indicate producers are likely to see similar profitability levels for the coming year with high expected cattle prices set against declining feed costs. 2024 ProfitsCow-calf margins improved significantly from October through December as feeder cattle futures rallied and supported calf prices. Too, basis levels for steers and heifers were above historic norms for...

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livestock

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FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 4 April)

Transportation and Freight Market Comments - 4 April 2025 By Matt Herrington Dry-Bulk Ocean Freight Dry-bulk markets saw more support this week with the spot market seeing robust demand as shippers try to get ahead of any Section 301 measures against Chinese vessels. U.S. freight markets are se...

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livestock

Tight Supplies, Strong U.S. Demand to Support Cattle Prices, Despite Trade War

Anyone following the beef and cattle markets recently has seen the volatility that preceded the recent surge to new contract highs, and the lack of consensus in the industry’s outlook. Now, the outlook is further complicated by the tariffs that will be placed on Mexican feeder cattle impo...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

May 25 Corn closed at $4.575/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  May 25 Wheat closed at $5.36/bushel, down $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  May 25 Soybeans closed at $10.115/bushel, down $0.18 from yesterday's close.  May 25 Soymeal closed at $288/short ton, up $0.8 fro...

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From WPI Consulting

Infrastructure investment due diligence

On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.

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