World Perspectives
livestock

Dissecting the Protein Market

Populist U.S. politicians are criticizing the meat sector and blaming higher prices on agribusiness concentration. The usual target is beef where 85 percent of product is processed by the four largest firms, followed by poultry where 65 percent is similarly controlled. However, based on data just released by USDA, the wholesale – retail spread (retail price minus the wholesale price) fell most during last-half 2022 for beef (-2.3 percent). The ratio rose 20.4 percent for pork, and 33 percent for poultry. However, the chicken market has had the anomalous impact of an avian influenza outbreak coupled with rising demand. The price rose faster to temper demand against a shrinking supply.  Separately, the Danish are considering a tax...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corn Leads Grains Lower on Fund Selling; Cattle Hit New Highs Again

Except for the cattle markets, the CBOT was sharply lower to start the week with trade policy, favorable weather, and weak technicals and large noncommercial short positions weighing on market sentiment. Cattle futures managed to rise to new all-time highs after last week’s record-breakin...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.5425/bushel, down $0.1475 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.3125/bushel, down $0.1175 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.455/bushel, down $0.125 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $295.5/short ton, down...

Trade Policy Contradictions

There are numerous trade policy contradictions, both between the U.S. and other countries, and within U.S. politics. Internationally, China worries about its import dependence for oil and food, investing heavily in alternative energy and domestic food production while encouraging livestock prod...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corn Leads Grains Lower on Fund Selling; Cattle Hit New Highs Again

Except for the cattle markets, the CBOT was sharply lower to start the week with trade policy, favorable weather, and weak technicals and large noncommercial short positions weighing on market sentiment. Cattle futures managed to rise to new all-time highs after last week’s record-breakin...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Jul 25 Corn closed at $4.5425/bushel, down $0.1475 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Wheat closed at $5.3125/bushel, down $0.1175 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soybeans closed at $10.455/bushel, down $0.125 from yesterday's close.  Jul 25 Soymeal closed at $295.5/short ton, down...

Trade Policy Contradictions

There are numerous trade policy contradictions, both between the U.S. and other countries, and within U.S. politics. Internationally, China worries about its import dependence for oil and food, investing heavily in alternative energy and domestic food production while encouraging livestock prod...

livestock

FDA Approves PRRS Resistant Pigs

After years of research and a lengthy regulatory approval process, Genus Pig Improvement Company (PIC) has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the gene edited PRRS-resistant pig (PRP) to be used in the U.S. food supply chain. Genus executives note this is a s...

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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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