World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Livestock industry margins were mostly lower last week as rising input costs crimped the profitability outlook. Declines were greatest for feedlot placements, where margins fell over $50/head due to higher feeder cattle costs. Beef packer margins saw the next greatest declines with profits dropping $35/head and hitting their lowest level since WPI started estimating packer margins in 2010. The decline in beef packer margins came amid last week’s $5-8/cwt rally in fed cattle prices that was partly offset by a $5 gain in beef values. The rally in fed cattle prices helped push feedlot closeout margins sharply higher, however, and to near five-year record highs.  The pork sector saw packer margins decrease slightly on weaker pork val...

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Cattle on Feed for Dec 2025

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Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.47/bushel, up $0.0325 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.155/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.5325/bushel, up $0.04 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $301.9/short ton, up $0.8 from y...

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From WPI Consulting

Accountability and a comprehensive approach to export programming

WPI’s team helped construct a strategic approach to develop, implement, and track promotional activities in 8 key regions across the globe for an agricultural export association. With continued progress measurement and strategic advisory services from WPI, the association has seen its ROI from investments in promotional programming increase by 44 percent over the past 5 years. Not only does this type of holistic approach to organizational strategy provide measurable results to track and analyze, it fosters top-down and bottom-up organizational accountability.

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