World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Round-Up: Looking at Cattle Herd Indicators

The final numbers from livestock marketing for red meat production are in for 2021. Cash receipts are up 23 percent from 2020 to $101 billion. Cattle were $72.9 billion, and hogs were $28 billion. Broken down by species, cattle were up 15 percent and hogs up 46 percent.  Interestingly, looking back at last week’s Cattle on Feed report, the mix of heifers on feed (reported quarterly) decreased a bit from the past two quarters, no doubt looking out to likely higher fed cattle prices in the second half of the year and through next year. The on feed inventory is large (a record for three of the four months so far this year), but the inventory of feeders outside feed lots is at its lowest level since 2015. It would appear heifers cou...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Big Nothingburger

It was a good thing that futures markets closed early today given that there were very few inputs to guide movements. The U.S. government was closed in observance of President Jimmy Carter’s memorial, so reports like weekly Export Sales are delayed until tomorrow. Wall Street and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 25 Corn closed at $4.56/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.34/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Soybeans closed at $9.99/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Soymeal closed at $299.3/short ton, down $1.5 from yeste...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: Market Conditions Transitioning from 2024 to 2025

Last year, cattle markets were driven by tight supplies of cattle, heavy carcass weights, low cow culling rates, higher input costs, more imports of feeder cattle, and the detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico in November. All were factors in record prices. The focus now turns to 2025, and...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Big Nothingburger

It was a good thing that futures markets closed early today given that there were very few inputs to guide movements. The U.S. government was closed in observance of President Jimmy Carter’s memorial, so reports like weekly Export Sales are delayed until tomorrow. Wall Street and the...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 25 Corn closed at $4.56/bushel, up $0.02 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.34/bushel, down $0.0225 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Soybeans closed at $9.99/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close. Mar 25 Soymeal closed at $299.3/short ton, down $1.5 from yeste...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: Market Conditions Transitioning from 2024 to 2025

Last year, cattle markets were driven by tight supplies of cattle, heavy carcass weights, low cow culling rates, higher input costs, more imports of feeder cattle, and the detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico in November. All were factors in record prices. The focus now turns to 2025, and...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Comfortable, With Jitters

There was generally low volume in grains today as traders await USDA’s important reports on Friday. There is no reason to spend more money on fees or commissions after spending several days aligning with the perceived outcomes. At the same time, market noise does not completely stop and there i...

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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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