While U.S. pork production for 2016 is reduced on expectations of slightly lower carcass weights for the third quarter, there is a different scenario in the EU. WASDE USDA’s September WASDE report was released this week, and the forecast for total 2016 red meat and poultry production is reduced from last month. The beef production forecast is decreased on lower expected third quarter steer and heifer slaughter. Slaughter was up markedly over 2015 earlier in the year, pulling cattle forward. In fact, the pace was significant enough that steer carcass weights saw their slowest increase in more than two years, and heifer carcass weights actually dropped. This created enough of a bubble in supply to tamper down slaughter going forward.Pork pr...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...
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.