Short-term market dynamics continued to change last week. The Comprehensive Beef Cutout averaged $369.77/cwt., down from $375.01/cwt. a week earlier. At the same time, the 5-Area Choice Steer price averaged $230.47/cwt. and down sharply from the prior week’s average of $238.50/cwt. Consequently, feeding margins fell into negative territory averaging -$12.75/head.
Packers gained ground with margins still in the red at –$200.49/head against -$293.83/head a week earlier.
View the full Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending July 25.
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.)
