In the May WASDE (released last week), USDA projected growth in feed use of corn based on supplies and prices, but it also increased animal units. While trade uncertainties will no doubt affect the U.S. livestock and meat industry the longer they continue, the dye is cast to some extent for expanded meat production because of the structure of animal production cycles and the size of current herds and flocks. The birth-to-slaughter schedule (depicted in the green-hued bars in the chart below) ranges from six weeks for broilers to 18-24 months for cattle. When factoring the timeline of breeding herds and flocks (depicted in blue), however, the total production time is at least six months for broilers (longer considering the industry relies o...
What You Need to Know Today: Commodities were mostly lower across the board today after yesterday’s Federal Reserve meeting hinted at a potential interest rate hike later in 2026. The dollar index reached its highest level in over a year, and a strong dollar makes U.S. agricultural expor...
Tomorrow is the Juneteenth federal holiday, and the USDA, along with the rest of the federal government and the CME, will be closed, so the monthly Cattle on Feed report was released a day early. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity on 1 June amounted...
From WPI Consulting
Infrastructure investment due diligence
On behalf of a Canadian oilseed processer WPI's team provided market analysis, econometric modeling and financial due diligence in support of a $24 million-dollar investment in a Ukrainian crush plant. Consistent with WPI's findings, local production to supply the plant and the facility's output have expanded exponentially since the investment. WPI has conducted parallel work on behalf of U.S., South American and European clients, both private and public, in the agri-food space.