Packers continue to face margins that are deep into the red (-$339.36/head) as last week’s Comprehensive Cutout averaged $367.72/cwt., which was $3.25/cwt. higher than the prior week, but was weighed cattle that were purchased the prior week at $244.41/cwt.
Last week’s Choice steers averaged $242.89/cwt. with feedlot margins averaging $724/head, down $65/head from the prior week.
Sterling’s estimated breakeven for cattle placed on feed last week with feeder steers at $348.24 was $230/cwt.
View the full Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending August 9.
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.)
