World Perspectives
livestock

Livestock Roundup: Reading the Tea Leaves on Cattle Herd Rebuilding

Cattle cycles are measured from low point to low point, which means that the current cycle started in 2014, peaked in 2019, and was ongoing in 2023.   Thus, a key question is: will record cattle prices (so far, and projected by USDA) in 2024 trigger an expansion of the cattle herd and start a new cattle cycle? Looking back at 2023, cattle prices hit records but feed, forage and financial, and fertilizer costs were all higher than typical levels and the beef herd continued its contraction as producer margins did not keep pace with cattle prices. As of 1 January 2024, the U.S. cattle herd dropped to 87.2 million head, the lowest since 1951. Reductions were seen at virtually every level of the cattle supply compared to the beginn...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2875/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.355/bushel, down $0.1925 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.075/bushel, down $0.2675 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $312.7/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corrections Lower, and Maybe Yet Lower

There was a “show me the money” attitude in today’s trading as caution replaced yesterday’s enthusiasm in both ag markets and on Wall Street. Let’s count the many sources of hesitation. Soybeans, meal, and wheat have all been overbought with high RSI’s. ...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: U.S. and Global Beef Markets

USDA confirmed last Friday, 31 October, that despite the shutdown several key reports will be issued, including the November Cattle on Feed report, scheduled for 21 November.  There will be no data from the October report, but that information could be available through the month-to-month...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2875/bushel, down $0.065 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.355/bushel, down $0.1925 from yesterday's close.  Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.075/bushel, down $0.2675 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $312.7/short ton, down $...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Corrections Lower, and Maybe Yet Lower

There was a “show me the money” attitude in today’s trading as caution replaced yesterday’s enthusiasm in both ag markets and on Wall Street. Let’s count the many sources of hesitation. Soybeans, meal, and wheat have all been overbought with high RSI’s. ...

livestock

Livestock Roundup: U.S. and Global Beef Markets

USDA confirmed last Friday, 31 October, that despite the shutdown several key reports will be issued, including the November Cattle on Feed report, scheduled for 21 November.  There will be no data from the October report, but that information could be available through the month-to-month...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds

Historic Trends in USDA’s November Crop Production Report

Heading into next week’s (mercifully) planned USDA Crop Production and WASDE reports, a key focus of the markets has been forecasting the agency’s yield numbers.  Over the past five years, USDA has exhibited a tendency to reduce its forecast of the corn and soybean yield, harve...

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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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