World Perspectives
feed-grains livestock biofuel

Where’s the Beef?

Where's the Beef? USDA's semi-annual beef cattle survey for January 2013 shows that the beef herd in January 2014 will be about 1.5 percent smaller than it was last month. Last year's drought increased demand for slaughter cattle by about 1 percent over 2011; fed cattle and cull cow prices hit record highs for the third consecutive year and look to be even higher this year. Absent another drought or other feed cost shocks, these high prices should slow slaughter and lead to herd rebuilding, but that is a longer-term trend that is unlikely to impact feed demand for two to three years.According to USDA: All cattle and calves in the United States as of 1 January 2013 totaled 89.3 million head, 2 percent below the 90.8 million on 1 Januar...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grain Markets: 5–9 January 2026 The first week of January is typically quiet for trading and logistics as Russia observes Orthodox Christmas. Activity remained subdued, although the ongoing Russo–Ukrainian war continued to shape market sentiment. Both sides carried out airst...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 14 January)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears in Control Again; Trump-Iran-China Triangle Sinks Soybeans

Bears were once again in control of the CBOT on Tuesday as the effects of the January WASDE continue to ripple through markets. Tuesday’s trade also saw the bearish effects of rising U.S. political tensions after President Trump announced the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on any c...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Black Sea Regional Analysis

Russian Grain Markets: 5–9 January 2026 The first week of January is typically quiet for trading and logistics as Russia observes Orthodox Christmas. Activity remained subdued, although the ongoing Russo–Ukrainian war continued to shape market sentiment. Both sides carried out airst...

FOB Prices and Freight Rates App (Updated 14 January)

WPI Grain Prices and Freight Rate App Note: you can also visit the app directly by clicking here. Supplemental Information The section below offers a concise view of the options available in the current version of the WPI FOB Price and Freight Rate app, along with a short “How To”...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Bears in Control Again; Trump-Iran-China Triangle Sinks Soybeans

Bears were once again in control of the CBOT on Tuesday as the effects of the January WASDE continue to ripple through markets. Tuesday’s trade also saw the bearish effects of rising U.S. political tensions after President Trump announced the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on any c...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.1975/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Wheat closed at $5.105/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.3875/bushel, down $0.1025 from yesterday's close.  Mar 26 Soymeal closed at $291.6/short ton, down...

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From WPI Consulting

Illuminating the value of technical research

On behalf of a commodity producer organization, WPI evaluated the outputs from a project that featured a $5 million investment into technical research over multiple years. WPI’s team captured the results of this extensive effort and synthesized them for presentation to the organization’s governing board; among the findings uncovered and presented for the first time was the development of genomic traits proven, via rigorous testing, to provide crop yield advantages of 50 percent or more to U.S. farmers in times of drought. Capturing measurable results from long-term efforts can be challenging. Educating clients on the dynamics of success measurement when quantifiable results are not readily available requires deep client-consultant collaboration and an ability to consider both near- and long-term client aspirations with market/policy dynamics – attributes that WPI brings to every consulting engagement.

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