World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Roundup: Heavy Slaughter Weights

The January WASDE report lowered previous forecasts for 2021 beef production based on lower expected carcass weights. That report also projected lower weights for hogs, though offset by higher rates of slaughter. That is a sound projection based on feed costs and the cost of gain for cattle and hogs, but the question remains: when will we start to see lighter weights? A month into the year, slaughter weights are actually increasing and running well above prior year averages. Last week’s estimated average cattle slaughter weight hit 1,400 pounds and average hog weights hit 295 pounds, the heaviest weight since (at least) 2016.  Regardless if weights trend down, Q1 beef and pork production will be greater than anticipated. &n...

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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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