World Perspectives
livestock

Cow-Calf Margins Hit Records, Imply Herd Rebuilding

U.S. cow-calf producers are facing unprecedented economic incentives to expand the beef herd with expected production margins hitting record highs this year. WPI’s models indicate that revenues for the “average” Southern Plains (i.e., Kansas) cow-calf operations are forecast to approach $1,750/cow-unit this year – a new record high and one that tops the 2014 revenue estimates (the prior peak in prices at the bottom of the cattle cycle) by nearly $250. Projected 2024 revenues are 7 percent higher than in 2023 with the increase primarily stemming from the value of calf sales as steer and heifer values are up 30 percent from one year ago. Strong cull cow values are also contributing to revenues as prices hit record high...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Down Day but Most of the Week Was Temporarily Up

Today’s trading was mostly lower based on South American weather and the ever-present tariff threat. Overall, the first week in February 2025 experienced the following: It was the fourth week in a row higher for SRW, and the third week up for HRW and HRS. It was the second week in a row...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 25 Corn closed at $4.875/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.8275/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Soybeans closed at $10.495/bushel, down $0.11 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Soymeal closed at $301.4/short ton, down $5 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI 2025 Acreage Outlook

With the USDA’s annual Ag Outlook forum happening at the end of this month and planting season a little more than four weeks away for parts of the U.S., the industry is turning its attention to the acreage outlook for 2025. This year offers significant differences from recent conditions t...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Market Commentary: Down Day but Most of the Week Was Temporarily Up

Today’s trading was mostly lower based on South American weather and the ever-present tariff threat. Overall, the first week in February 2025 experienced the following: It was the fourth week in a row higher for SRW, and the third week up for HRW and HRS. It was the second week in a row...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Mar 25 Corn closed at $4.875/bushel, down $0.0775 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Wheat closed at $5.8275/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Soybeans closed at $10.495/bushel, down $0.11 from yesterday's close.  Mar 25 Soymeal closed at $301.4/short ton, down $5 f...

feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

WPI 2025 Acreage Outlook

With the USDA’s annual Ag Outlook forum happening at the end of this month and planting season a little more than four weeks away for parts of the U.S., the industry is turning its attention to the acreage outlook for 2025. This year offers significant differences from recent conditions t...

U.S. Food Aid Status

The Trump Administration’s placement of the U.S. Agency for International Development on ice has sparked a firestorm in Washington. Critics of the agency point to an NGO industrial complex that works contrary to some American policy goals and diverts money from needy Americans. Supporters...

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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.

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