World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Price Outlook

Both the beef and swine herds are in expansion mode, but cattle and hogs are looking at different price forecasts compared with last year.Cattle prices ended 2016 on a bearish note and are expected to remain well below last year’s levels until late into 2017. At that point, they will be about equal to the low point of last year’s price range. The 31 January cattle inventory report showed continued herd expansion for the third straight year. Such growth occurred in 27 states with the largest increase on the Great Plains as pasture conditions improved. Moreover, this was spurred by good profitability for cattle producers in 2014 and 2015. However, that financial return is now being squeezed with rising red meat production, which is a signal t...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Absent Chinese Demand, Supply Dominates the Mood

Markets were over-weight on the Xi – Trump phone call this morning. The phone call went well enough but after it became clear there was no deal on ag or soybeans, the latter turned south. Beans and meal had traded higher overnight and at the open, but like all three wheats, closed on loss...

livestock

Cattle of Feed - Sep 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on September 1, 2025. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.78 million head, 10 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle du...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report Shows Record Low Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today at 3 p.m. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.1 million head, 99 percent of last year, as expected.    Placements and marketings came in slightly more bullish than the pre-report estimates, but still close, within one perc...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Absent Chinese Demand, Supply Dominates the Mood

Markets were over-weight on the Xi – Trump phone call this morning. The phone call went well enough but after it became clear there was no deal on ag or soybeans, the latter turned south. Beans and meal had traded higher overnight and at the open, but like all three wheats, closed on loss...

livestock

Cattle of Feed - Sep 2025

U.S. Cattle on Feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on September 1, 2025. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2024.  Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.78 million head, 10 percent below 2024.  Marketings of fed cattle du...

livestock

Cattle on Feed Report Shows Record Low Marketings

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report was released today at 3 p.m. Total cattle on feed amounted to 11.1 million head, 99 percent of last year, as expected.    Placements and marketings came in slightly more bullish than the pre-report estimates, but still close, within one perc...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.24/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.255/bushel, down $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, down $0.7 fro...

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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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