Though still deep into red ink, beef packer margins improved last week as the Comprehensive Beef Cutout posted sharp gains last week to average $379.51/cwt. compared to $367.72/cwt. the prior week.
Negotiated cash Choice steer prices remained about steady at $242.45/cwt. Feeding margins continue to make a great showing with the Sterling estimated average last week at $683/head.
View the full Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending August 16.
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.)
