World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Industry Margins

Amid the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and the lack of slaughter data in particular, estimating livestock operations’ profit margins has become more complex. Fortunately, the AMS market reporters are still working, so the WPI has most of the data we usually require for calculating these margins.  Last week, beef packer margins fell for the fourth straight week and hit ...

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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...

Animal Welfare Metrics; Transatlantic NTB’s; More Elegant Trade Rules

Animal Welfare Metrics The U.S. Justice Department is suing California over its Prop 12 animal welfare standards adversely impacting hog and poultry producers in other states. For some, the suit is a rejection of federalism (states rights) even as the Trump Administration seeks to defang Washin...

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...

Animal Welfare Metrics; Transatlantic NTB’s; More Elegant Trade Rules

Animal Welfare Metrics The U.S. Justice Department is suing California over its Prop 12 animal welfare standards adversely impacting hog and poultry producers in other states. For some, the suit is a rejection of federalism (states rights) even as the Trump Administration seeks to defang Washin...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

U.S. 2025/26 Crop Balance Sheets Growing Heavy

WPI’s latest forecasts for the U.S. corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum markets in 2025/26 are increasingly leaning bearish due to expected larger supplies and, except for corn, weaker demand. China’s continued absence from the soybean and sorghum markets is a major headwind for the a...

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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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