Latest News From Cattle Market Reports and Analysis

<p>Fed steers in a feedlot.&nbsp;</p>
Feeding Losses Continue, Packers Remain Flush

Feedyard margins improved modestly last week - though still in the red - the result of lower feeder cattle prices calculated against closeouts.

Steady Money, Steady Losses For Feeders

Cattle feeding losses averaged $83 per head last week, while packers recorded $168 per head profits, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

<p>Cattle eating at a feed bunk.&nbsp;</p>
Steady Money, Steady Losses For Feeders

Cattle feeding losses averaged $83 per head last week, while packers recorded $168 per head profits, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

<p>Fed steers in a feedlot.&nbsp;</p>
Cash Steady, But Closeouts See More Red

Feedyard closeouts were $66 per head short of covering all costs last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Packer, Feedlot Margins Post Declines

While cash cattle prices slipped only modestly, cattle feeders saw margins erode by $86 per head, falling from an average profit of $38 two weeks ago to an average loss of $49 per head last week.

Packer, Feedlot Margins Post Declines
Packer, Feedlot Margins Post Declines

While cash cattle prices slipped only modestly, cattle feeders saw margins erode by $86 per head, falling from an average profit of $38 two weeks ago to an average loss of $49 per head last week.

Feedlot Margins Above Water, Packer Margins Drop
Feedlot Margins Above Water, Packer Margins Drop

A $3 rally in fed cattle prices helped boost feedyard closeouts to modest $30 per head profits.

Feedlot Margins Better, Packer Margins Slip

A $1 per cwt rally helped boost cattle feeding profits marginally last week while packers lost a little off their large margins.

<p>Cattle at a water tank in a feedlot.&nbsp;</p>
Feedlot Margins Better, Packer Margins Slip

A $1 per cwt rally helped boost cattle feeding profits marginally last week while packers lost a little off their large margins.

<p>Cattle in a feedlot.&nbsp;</p>
Packer Profits Near $300 Per Head

Beef packer profits totaled a collective $186 million last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Beef Packer Margins Total $182 Million Last Week

Packer margins improved $55 per head last week as Choice beef cutout values gained nearly $4 per cwt and cash cattle prices declined $1 per cwt.

<p>Cattle in a feedlot waiting on the feed truck.</p>
Beef Packer Margins Total $182 Million Last Week

Packer margins improved $55 per head last week as Choice beef cutout values gained nearly $4 per cwt and cash cattle prices declined $1 per cwt.

Cattle Lose $30, Hogs Lose $40 Per Head

Cattle and hog margins are headed south as supplies build and packers run near capacity.

Feeder cattle ends sharply higher and lean hog contracts settle lower.
Cattle Lose $30, Hogs Lose $40 Per Head

Cattle and hog margins are headed south as supplies build and packers run near capacity.

Feeding Margins Back In the Red
Feeding Margins Back In the Red

Cattle feeding margins declined $34 per head last week as cash cattle prices fell $2 per cwt. , leaving closeouts $5 per head in the red.

<p>Feeder steers standing in a feedlot pen.&nbsp;</p>
Packer, Feeder Margins Erode

Cash cattle prices declined $2 per cwt. last week while the beef cutout dipped $3 per cwt., contributing to lower industry margins.

Fed cattle continue to trade higher as feedlot placements increase.
Feedyard Margins Improve $100 Per Head

Last week's fed cattle rally improved cattle feeding margins $100 per head.

<p>Feedlot cattle in western Kansas.</p>
Feedyard Losses Near Triple digits

A $2 per cwt decline in cash cattle prices pushed feedyard losses to near $100 per head.

Fed cattle continue to trade higher as feedlot placements increase.
Feeding Margins Remain In The Red

Feedyard closeouts continue flowing red ink while packer margins hover around $300 per head.

<p>These fed cattle primarily of Hereford-influence are nearing a slaughter weight.</p>
Packer Margins Ease Lower

Cattle feeding margins slipped into the red last week with a $4 per cwt. decline in cash prices.

<p>Cattle at Cactus Feeders in Cactus, Texas during March 2018.</p>
Packer Windfall Continues

The $4-plus rally in cash fed cattle prices pulled feedyards out of the red, and packer margins remain at historic levels.

<p>A pen rider looks through a pen of cattle at Cactus Feeders.&nbsp;</p>
Packer, Feeder Margin Projections Updated

Projected annual profit margins for beef packers and cattle feeders have been updated by Sterling Marketing, Inc.

Extreme Packer Profits Climbing
Extreme Packer Profits Climbing

Beef packers are enjoying historic profit levels with robust consumer demand and strong beef cutout values.

Profit Tracker: Packer Profits Approach $300 Per Head

Packer margins have grown to exceptionally high levels in recent weeks, while feedyard profits have eroded.

<p>A pen rider looks through a pen of cattle at Cactus Feeders.&nbsp;</p>
Profit Tracker: Packer Profits Approach $300 Per Head

Packer margins have grown to exceptionally high levels in recent weeks, while feedyard profits have eroded.

Breakevens Remain Key in Determining Retained Ownership
Breakevens Remain Key in Determining Retained Ownership

Adding value and capturing that value (making money) versus adding value and losing value (losing money) is largely a function of your break-even price. 

Profit Tracker: Packer Profits Exceed $200
Profit Tracker: Packer Profits Exceed $200

Packer margins advanced on softer cash cattle prices and gain in the beef cutout prices.

<p>Feeder steers standing in a feedlot pen.&nbsp;</p>
Profit Tracker: Packer Profits Exceed $200

Packer margins advanced on softer cash cattle prices and gain in the beef cutout prices.

<p>A feedlot at near capacity with feed trucks moving in the background.</p>
Profit Tracker: Surging Cutout Lifts Packer Profits

Beef cutout prices jumped $7.22 per cwt. last week, boosting packer profits $40 per head.

Profit Tracker: Profits Reach Triple Digits

Feedyard margins climbed back into triple digits last week with a $1 to $2 price rally.

Profit Tracker: Profits Reach Triple Digits
Profit Tracker: Profits Reach Triple Digits

Feedyard margins climbed back into triple digits last week with a $1 to $2 price rally.

Profit Tracker: Rally Erases Red Ink
Profit Tracker: Rally Erases Red Ink

Feedyard closeouts revealed profits of $92 per head last week after two weeks of losses.

Feeder cattle sinks 4.5-cent limit and lean hog contracts finish mixed.
Profit Tracker: Packers Turn Tidy Profit

Feedyards lost an average of $43 per head last week, nearly $7 more than the week before, while packer profits remain in triple-digits.

<p>These fed cattle primarily of Hereford-influence are nearing a slaughter weight.</p>
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall To The Red

Remaining cattle feeding profits were erased last week with a $4 decline in the cash market.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Erode
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Erode

Cattle feeding profits declined $50 per head last week while packer margins improved to more than $170.

<p>These fed cattle primarily of Hereford-influence are nearing a slaughter weight.</p>
Profit Tracker: Margins Hold Firm

Both cattle feeding and packer margins held firm at solidly profitable levels.

<p>Feedlot cattle</p>
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Decline As Costs Rise

Cattle feeding margins slipped as the cost of feeder cattle increased in last week's closeouts.

Feeder cattle closes sharply higher and lean hog market sinks to two-month low.
Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Exceed $160

Steady to $1 higher cash fed cattle prices upped cattle feeding margins $20 per head to $194, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

<p>Feedlot Cattle</p>
Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Shoot Higher

Cattle feeding margins held firm last week while packer margins more than doubled.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall 16%
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall 16%

A $2 per cwt. dip in cash cattle prices cut $32 of closeout margins last week, but added $46 to packer margins.

Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Continue Slide
Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Continue Slide

Cash cattle prices rallied $3-plus per cwt. last week, and average feedyard margins remain above $200 per head.

<p>Feedlot Cattle Bunk</p>
Profit Tracker: Margins Remain Above $200

Cash cattle prices dipped slightly last week, with a similar decline in closeout margins.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Top $260
Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Top $260

Feedyard closeouts improved $55 per head last week after a $4 price rally.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Exceed $200 Per Head
Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Exceed $200 Per Head

A $3 rally in fed cattle prices pushed profit margins to more than $200 per head last week.

<p>Feedlot cattle</p>
Profit Tracker: Stronger Packer, Feeder Margins

A weaker cash cattle market produced stronger profit margins for both packers and feedyards last week

<p>Feedlot cattle</p>
Profit Tracker: Margins Steady To Strong

Cattle feeders, pork producers and packers for both segments found solid profits during the first week of the New Year.

Profit Tracker: Margins Exceed $150 Per Head
Profit Tracker: Margins Exceed $150 Per Head

Cattle feeding profits more than doubled last week, a bounce due to a $3 rally in cash fed cattle prices.

Profit Tracker: Margins Slip $35 Per Head
Profit Tracker: Margins Slip $35 Per Head

Feedyard closeouts recorded solid, yet declining profits on cattle marketed last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Profit Tracker: Profits Near Triple Digits
Profit Tracker: Profits Near Triple Digits

A rally in cash fed cattle prices helped boost average feedyard profits to $99 per head.

<p>BT Cattle Feedlot</p>
Profit Tracker: Profits Remain Despite Price Decline

Feedyard closeouts took a hit from last week’s $3 per cwt. decline in cash prices, but average margins remain above $77 per head.