World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Meat packer margins worsened last week for both the beef and pork sector as higher animal costs exceeded any gains in meat values. Beef packer margins fell $43/head last week and scored a new 15-year low according to WPI’s models as fed cattle prices surged and outpaced a $5 gain in the choice cutout. Pork packer margins dipped$2/head as hog purchase costs exceeded a mild $1.10/cwt gain in the pork cutout. Pork margins are still positive and are unlikely to disrupt the industry’s supply and purchase plans, but the weakness in beef packer margins suggests the industry will be aggressive slowing chain speeds and reducing kills to control profits.  The gains in fed cattle and market hog prices helped...

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livestock

Livestock Roundup: China is Top Beef Importer of Brazilian and Australian Beef in September

Today was WASDE day, however, due to the government shutdown, that report has been suspended, as have been the reports usually highlighted below. Brazil's beef exports to China rose 38.3 percent in September from a year earlier, reaching 187,340 MT, according to the Brazilian industry group Abr...

livestock

Q4 Cattle and Beef Pricing Outlook

Beef and cattle markets are getting ready to see their much-anticipated seasonal rally ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but beef packers won’t be receiving any presents from the market this year. WPI’s latest outlook calls for a somewhat subdued seasonal pre-ho...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corn, Soy Firm on Bull Spreading (and Exports?); Cattle Hit New Highs

The CBOT was mostly firmer on Wednesday with rumors circulating that export business is getting done – perhaps aggressively – without the USDA to publish the daily “flash” export sales report. Bull spreading in corn and soybeans likely belies this activity, as does the r...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: China is Top Beef Importer of Brazilian and Australian Beef in September

Today was WASDE day, however, due to the government shutdown, that report has been suspended, as have been the reports usually highlighted below. Brazil's beef exports to China rose 38.3 percent in September from a year earlier, reaching 187,340 MT, according to the Brazilian industry group Abr...

livestock

Q4 Cattle and Beef Pricing Outlook

Beef and cattle markets are getting ready to see their much-anticipated seasonal rally ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but beef packers won’t be receiving any presents from the market this year. WPI’s latest outlook calls for a somewhat subdued seasonal pre-ho...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corn, Soy Firm on Bull Spreading (and Exports?); Cattle Hit New Highs

The CBOT was mostly firmer on Wednesday with rumors circulating that export business is getting done – perhaps aggressively – without the USDA to publish the daily “flash” export sales report. Bull spreading in corn and soybeans likely belies this activity, as does the r...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.22/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.0725/bushel, up $0.005 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.295/bushel, up $0.075 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $278/short ton, up $1.1 from yes...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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