Supply and demand report recap

Source: John Michael Riley, Asst. Extension Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

This past Friday, November 9, USDA and the World Agricultural Outlook Board released their monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report.  The report was widely viewed as having a bearish tone for crops given the significant increases in supplies and carry-over for soybeans compared to what was expected.  This has spilled over into other grain and oilseed markets in the days that have followed.  None the less, corn supply and use was left mostly unchanged from the October WASDE report with the only noticeable change being an increase in projected corn imports from 75 million bushels to 100 million (up 33%).  Estimated yield per acre was raised slightly to 122.3 bushels, compared to an average of analyst expectations of 122.1 and 122.0 reported the previous month.  This raised U.S. production 19 million bushels to 10.725 billion.  Analysts were looking for harvested acres to drop slightly from 87.7 million in October’s report to 87.1 million but USDA left those unchanged in the current report.  Expected corn used for food purposes was the only demand side change in the report for corn, up 17 million bushels from last month to 1.367 billion bushels (when excluding corn used for ethanol).  Collectively, the amount of corn that will be carried over to the next marketing year is currently pegged at 647 million bushels, up 28 million from last month’s projection.  Based on this, the stocks-to-use ratio is 5.8%.

More noticeable in the report was the unexpected soybean projections. The WASDE reported an expected soybean yield of 33.9 bushels per acre, up from last month’s 37.8 bu/ac projection and outside the range of pre-report estimates where the highest guess was 39.1 bu/ac.  This increase led to a larger than expected bump in production, which is currently forecast at 2.971 billion bushels versus 2.891 from pre-report expectations (with the highest guess at 2.959) and 2.860 forecasted last month.  Offsetting adjustments on the demand side were seen with increases in projected crushings and exports, respectively up 20 and 80 million bushels from last month.  Soybean ending stocks were reported to be an expected 140 million bushels, up 10 million from last month and seven million higher than the average of analysts’ pre-report expectation.  These out-of-range changes to the soybean supply sent grain and oilseed markets tumbling until today (Tuesday, November 13). 

These adjustments to the soybean supply were not nearly as impactful with respect to soybean meal use from a domestic standpoint.  Projected domestic disappearance and final ending stocks were unchanged from last month, while the larger crushings reported for soybeans were forecast to be exported.

Beef production in the United States remained relatively stable compared to last month’s estimates.  Production for 2012 and 2013 are currently forecast at 25.587 and 24.520 billion pounds, respectively.  The 2012 estimate was lower by 6 million pounds and the 2013 estimate was lower by 110 million pounds.  The broiler production forecast, on the other hand, was higher by 172 and 30 million pounds, respectively, at 36.889 billion pounds in 2012 and 36.445 billion pounds in 2013 compared to October’s estimates.  Beef’s export projection was lowered nine million pounds to 2.469 billion pounds for 2012, while 2013 export expectations were left unchanged at 2.450 billion pounds.  This would put the U.S. as a net exporter in 2012, but a net importer in 2013.  The increase in beef imports from 2012 to 2013 is most likely to offset the tight supplies that are expected to continue in the U.S.  Per capita consumption of beef was once again reduced in this month’s report to 56.8 and 54.8 pounds per person for 2012 and 2013, respectively, again largely due to supply constraints.

The Markets

The fed cattle market continued to slide last week.  The 5-area fed steer price on a liveweight basis averaged $124.75 per hundredweight, down just under $1.50 from the previous week, and dressed prices were at $195.01, down about the same amount.  U.S. Choice boxed beef averaged $193.14 last week, down $2.20 per hundredweight, as the ramifications of inclement weather in the northeastern U.S. continue to dampen beef sales.  Oklahoma feeder prices were reported steady to $2 per hundredweight higher despite lingering uncertainty with wheat pasture conditions.  Calf prices on the other hand were lower on the week.  Corn prices lost 12 cents per bushel to close at $7.62 in Omaha on Thursday.

click image to zoom

1. YSA members gain insight into agribusiness, retail industries
2. Meat industry associations quick to attack the new MCOOL rule
3. Team up against bovine respiratory disease
4. Oil prices pare losses on U.S. equities turnaround
5. Future of food discussion with Agriculture Secretary
6. Ag markets diverged prove rather volatile on Thursday

1. Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
2. Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
3. Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early
4. More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
5. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
6. New animal identification rules aid disease traceability

1. Commentary: GMOs: How do I hate thee?
2. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
3. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
4. What’s on America’s grill this weekend?
5. New animal identification rules aid disease traceability
6. 4 rules for growing a business or industry