Livestock, Poultry and Dairy

Total US meat production for 2009 is raised as fourth-quarter pork and beef production is forecast higher on larger-than-expected October output. Broiler production is raised due to higher-than-expected third-quarter production; forecast fourth-quarter production is unchanged from last month. Turkey production is decreased on weaker third-quarter production, and forecast lower fourth-quarter slaughter. Egg production is little changed.

Meat production for 2010 is lowered from last month as higher forecast beef production due to larger feedlot placements in 2009 is more than offset by lower forecasts for broilers and turkey. Broiler and turkey hatchery data points to a smaller than previously forecast expansion in 2010.

Red meat and poultry export forecasts for 2009 and 2010 are raised. Beef exports are forecast higher for the last half of 2009 and for 2010 on a weak dollar outlook, and improved economic outlook next year. Poultry exports are raised for third-quarter 2009. Import forecasts for beef for both 2009 and 2010 are reduced reflecting lower expected beef supplies in Oceania.

Cattle price forecasts are unchanged for 2009 and 2010. The hog price forecast is raised for fourth quarter 2009, but is unchanged for 2010. Broiler prices are lowered for 2009 and 2010. The egg price forecast is increased slightly for 2009 as fourth-quarter prices have been higher than expected but the forecast is unchanged for 2010.

The milk production forecasts are raised for 2009 and 2010 as milk per cow is forecast higher and the rate of decline in cow inventories is slowed. Improved milk prices are expected to more than outweigh higher feed costs and slow the pace of liquidation. Improving global demand and concerns about world supplies of dairy products have pushed international dairy prices higher and are expected to result in higher US dairy exports during the remainder of this year and into 2010. Import forecasts are lowered for 2009. Fat-basis ending stocks are forecast higher for 2009, but 2010 stocks are forecast lower on both a fat and skim-solids basis as supplies tighten. Improving domestic and export demand and lower year-to-year milk production is expected to lead to higher prices for US cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk, and whey. Class III and IV price forecasts for 2009 and 2010 are raised from last month. The all milk price is forecast at $12.60 to $12.70 per cwt for 2009 and $16.05 to $16.95 for 2010.

Wheat

US wheat supplies for 2009/10 are reduced 4 million bushels this month with small downward revisions to hard red spring wheat and durum production. Exports are projected 25 million bushels lower based on the slow pace of export sales and shipments and increased competition from major Black Sea exporters. US ending stocks for 2009/10 are projected 21 million bushels higher. Ending stocks would be a 10-year high at the projected 885 million bushels. The projected marketing-year average farm price range is narrowed 10 cents on both ends of the range to $4.65 to $5.05 per bushel. Recent gains in futures prices have supported farm gate prices while limiting export opportunities for US wheat.

Global wheat supplies for 2009/10 are projected 1.7 million tons higher as increased production more than offsets a reduction in beginning stocks. Foreign production is raised 3.9 million tons with most of the increase in FSU-12 as an extended growing season and favorable harvest weather boosted yields. Production is raised 2.0 million tons each for Kazakhstan and Russia as harvest results indicate higher yields for spring wheat. Ukraine production is raised 0.5 million tons reflecting late season revisions to winter wheat yields. Production is raised 0.8 million tons for Syria as increased use of irrigation raised yields. Chile production is also raised 0.3 million tons on higher reported area. Production is lowered 1.1 million tons for EU-27 with reductions for France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain more than offsetting small increases elsewhere. Production is also lowered 0.5 million tons for Canada as above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures during October delayed harvesting and raised the potential for field losses, particularly in northern Saskatchewan.

Global wheat trade for 2009/10 is projected higher this month. Imports are raised for EU-27, Israel, South Korea, Syria, Turkey, Bangladesh and China more than offsetting reductions for Chile and Angola. Higher exports for Russia, up 1.5 million tons, and Kazakhstan and Ukraine, each up 0.5 million tons, are partly offset by reductions for EU-27 and Canada, down 1.0 and 0.5 million tons, respectively. Abundant supplies of low-priced Black Sea wheat are expected to limit export opportunities for the traditional exporting countries including Canada, EU-27, and the United States. Global consumption is raised with increased wheat feeding expected in Russia, Israel, South Korea, and Morocco. Global ending stocks are projected 1.5 million tons higher as the increase in world output more than offsets lower carryin and the relatively small increase in consumption.

Coarse Grains

US feed grain supplies for 2009/10 are projected lower this month reflecting lower forecast corn production. Corn production is forecast 97 million bushels lower with a 1.3-bushel-per-acre reduction in the forecast yield. US corn exports are projected 50 million bushels lower reflecting the slow pace of sales and shipments in recent weeks and prospects for increased competition from larger Black Sea corn and wheat supplies. US corn ending stocks are projected down 47 million bushels. The 2009/10 marketing-year average farm price projection is raised 20 cents on each end of the range to $3.25 to $3.85 per bushel. Barley ending stocks are raised 5 million bushels mostly reflecting a drop in projected exports based on the slow pace of sales and shipments to date. Reflecting the higher expected corn price, marketing-year average farm prices are projected higher for sorghum, barley, and oats.

Global coarse grain supplies for 2009/10 are projected 2.0 million tons lower, as reduced corn beginning stocks and production are only partly offset by higher EU-27 mixed grain, barley, and oat production, and higher Kazakhstan barley production. Global corn beginning stocks for 2009/10 are lowered 0.9 million tons mostly reflecting higher 2008/09 feed use for EU-27 and higher food, seed, and industrial use for South Africa. Global corn production for 2009/10 is lowered 2.8 million tons with reduced production for the United States, Brazil, EU-27, Russia, Venezuela and Canada only partly offset by increases for South Africa and Ukraine. Brazil production is reduced 1.0 million tons on lower expected area. Production is lowered 0.4 million tons for EU-27 and 0.3 million tons each for Russia and Venezuela. Production is raised 1.0 million tons for South Africa as producer intentions indicate higher planted area and abundant early season rains support timely planting. Ukraine production is raised 1.0 million tons on higher reported yields.

World coarse grain trade is projected slightly lower for 2009/10 mostly reflecting reduced prospects for US corn and barley exports. Barley exports are also reduced for the EU-27, down 0.2 million tons. Partly offsetting is a 1.0-million-ton increase in Ukraine corn exports. Corn imports are lowered 0.3 million tons for Israel with higher expected wheat feeding. Barley imports are lowered 0.2 million tons for Jordan with lower expected feeding. Global coarse grain ending stocks are lower this month with a 3.8-million-ton reduction in world corn stocks. Much of the decrease is based on this month’s US changes, however, other major reductions in 2009/10 corn ending stocks are projected for EU-27, down 1.7 million tons, and Brazil, down 0.8 million tons. Barley ending stocks are projected higher for EU-27 and Kazakhstan, up 1.1 million tons and 0.4 million tons, respectively.

Oilseeds

US oilseed ending stocks for 2009/10 are projected at 8.8 million tons, up 1.1 million from last month as larger supplies are only partly offset by increased exports. Oilseed crush is almost unchanged as a small increase for soybeans is offset by a reduction for cottonseed. Total US oilseed production is projected at 97.8 million tons, up 1.7 million from last month due to higher soybean production. Soybean production is forecast at a record 3.319 billion bushels, up 69 million from last month. The soybean yield is projected at a record 43.3 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushels from the previous estimate. Soybean exports are raised 20 million bushels to 1.325 billion due to increased supplies and increased global import demand, mainly for China, EU-27, and Russia. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 270 million bushels, up 40 million from last month.

Prices for soybeans and products are projected higher for 2009/10, reflecting higher corn and soybean futures prices. The US season-average soybean price range is projected at $8.20 to $10.20 per bushel, up 20 cents on both ends of the range. The soybean meal price is projected at $250 to $310 per short ton, up 5 dollars on both ends of the range. The soybean oil price range is projected at 33 to 37 cents per pound, up 1 cent on both ends of the range.

Global oilseed production for 2009/10 is projected at 428.9 million tons, up 3.6 million from last month. Increased soybean and rapeseed production are only partly offset by lower sunflowerseed, cottonseed, and peanut production. Global soybean production is projected higher with increases for the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Brazil soybean production is projected at a record 63 million tons, up 1 million from last month due to an expected increased harvested area. Argentina soybean production is raised 0.5 million tons to 53 million due to increased area as producers shift additional area to soybeans from sunflowerseed. Argentina sunflowerseed production is reduced due to lower planted area resulting from dry conditions during the planting season. Global rapeseed production is projected higher as increased production for EU-27 is only partly offset by a reduction for Canada. Other changes include higher sunflowerseed production for Ukraine and EU-27, and lower cottonseed production for China.

Global oilseed stocks for 2009/10 are raised 3.1 million tons to 69.0 million. Increased soybean stocks for Brazil, the United States, and China account for most of the change. Rapeseed stocks for Canada, EU-27, and India are also increased. China soybean imports are raised for 2008/09 and 2009/10 to 41.1 million and 40.5 million tons, respectively. Soybean exports for 2009/10 are raised for Brazil and Argentina. Global vegetable oil stocks are projected 1 million tons higher due to increases in soybean oil stocks for Brazil, China, and India, and increased palm oil stocks for China and Malaysia.

Approved by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chairperson of the World Agricultural Outlook Board, Gerald A. Bange, (202) 720-6030. This report was prepared by the Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees.

Further Reading

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