Markets
Last week’s $1 per cwt retreat in cash cattle prices took feedyard margins only modestly lower.
A $1 decline in average fed cattle prices and a $25 per head increase in the cost of feeder cattle pushed cattle feeding losses to $52 per head last week.
Cattle feeding margins slipped further into the red last week.
Feedyard margins saw only slight improvement last week as direct trade prices held steady.
The red ink has started to slow down for feedlots and cattle prices have rallied lately, giving beef producers something to be thankful for.
Cattle feeders earned a small profit on cattle sold last week, the first positive closeouts in months.
Normally when profit margins decline $50-plus per head there’s no rejoicing.
Cattle feeders earned average profits of $68 per head last week, $30 per head more than the previous week.
Last week’s $4-plus rally in cash fed cattle prices cut average feedyard losses in half, leaving the red ink totaling $90 on every animal shipped.
Last week’s market rally helped feedyards erase much of their red ink, but not all.
Feedyard margins improved last week despite a $3 per cwt. decline in cash cattle prices.
Cattle feeders turned a tidy profit for the second consecutive week.
Last week’s $2 per cwt. decline in cash cattle prices left feedyard margins at near breakeven levels.
Feedlot closeouts continue ending on positive notes.
Cattle feeders turned a profit for the eighth consecutive week.
Cattle feeders saw positive margins on closeouts for the ninth consecutive week.
Feedyard margins declined $28 per head last week to total an average loss of $70 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
Feedyard margins dropped another $20 last week to total an average loss of $90 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
Calling losses of $193 per head an improvement may be painful, but it’s accurate.
Feedyard profit margins rebounded slightly after last week’s $2 rally in the cash fed cattle market.
Cattle feeding profit margins retreat further with a weaker cash market and limited packer interest.
Average cattle feeding losses totaled $106 per head for the week ending June 21.
The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker reports average cattle feeding closeouts were in the black last week, but with little room to spare.
Cattle feeding and packer profit margins were mostly steady the week ending December 21, with cash prices for fed cattle slightly higher.
Cattle feeding and packer profit margins both declined last week as cash cattle prices were modestly lower.
Cattle feeding margins improved $16 per head last week as cash prices inched higher less than $1 per cwt.
Cattle feeding margins improved $43 per head last week as cash prices gained nearly $2 per cwt.
As expected, beef packer margins jumped wildly higher the week ending Aug. 17, while cattle feeding margins slipped into the red.