Beef industry margins last week were back to where they were prior to the JBS strike at Greeley – positive for feedlots and negative for packers.
Sterling’s estimate for feedlot margins last week was $88.66/head while the estimated packer margin averaged -109.60/head for the week. These margins compare to $3.26/head for feedlots and $65.03/head for packers the previous week.
5-Area Direct Steer prices averaged $248.51/cwt. last week while the Composite Beef Cutout averaged $390.15 for the week. Packers processed cattle priced 2 weeks ago — $244.85/cwt.
View the full Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending April 11.
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.)
