The Comprehensive Beef Cutout fell to an average value of $376.86 last week, down sharply from the prior week’s $387.54.
Strong buying activity in anticipation of July 4th holiday grilling eased off and consequently, so did wholesale prices.
However, packers processed higher cost cattle and consequently, packer margins fell back into the deep red and averaged - $181.50/head. Feedlot margins remained close to prior week averaging an estimated $722/head.
View the full Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending July 19.
The Beef and Pork Profit Trackers are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.
(Note: The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker calculates an average beef cutout value for the week in its estimates for feedyard and packer margins. Other prices in the weekly Profit Tracker also are calculated weekly averages. Feedyard margins are calculated on a cash basis only with no adjustment for risk management practices. The Beef and Pork Profit Trackers are intended only as a benchmark for the average cash costs of feeding cattle and hogs. Sterling Marketing is a private, independent beef and pork consulting firm not associated with any packing company or livestock feeding enterprise.)
