Rancher
Despite an average $1 decline in cash fed cattle prices last week, cattle feeding margins remained solidly profitable on a cash basis.
Beef packers saw their margins decline to the lowest level since before the Tyson packing plant fire August 9 as beef cutout prices declined and cash cattle prices increased.
Cash cattle prices lost another $2 per cwt. last week, a decline of $7 over two weeks. Coupled with higher input costs on feeder cattle, the decline feedyards with an average $22 per head loss last week.
Cash cattle prices stubbornly steady to $1 higher gave a slight boost to feedyard margins and left packer margins nearly unchanged last week.
Sharply lower cash cattle prices erased $100 per head from closeout profit margins last week and left cattle feeders re-evaluating ideas of a spring rally.
Declining cash fed cattle prices erased profit margins for cattle feeders last week, and declining wholesale beef prices cut packer margins by 34%.
Sharply higher beef cutout values produced windfall profits for beef packers last week while cattle feeders saw closeouts with average losses about steady, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
Cattle and hogs prices both moved higher last week and both enterprises posted profits on closeouts for the first time in several months.
Cattle feeding margins have slowly improved over the past few weeks, but average closeouts continue to show losses in excess of $100 per head.
Cattle and hog feeding margins were little changed last week, with both recording modest losses. Beef packers saw improved margins on significant gains in wholesale beef prices.
Cattle and hog feeding both saw solid average profits for the week ending April 2, boosted by higher average farmgate prices. Cattle were positive for the second week, while positive hog margins entered a third month.
Cattle and hog feeding operations are experiencing the highest market prices since before the pandemic began more than a year ago. Hog margins were positive for the 11th consecutive week.
Cattle and hog feeding operations are in the midst of their most profitable time since before the pandemic began. Cattle margins nearly doubled last week and hog margins were positive for the 10th consecutive week.
Cattle and hog finishing margins were headed in opposite directions last week, with lean hog prices enjoying a three-week rally while cattle prices were stuck in neutral for a second week.
Momentum continues to build for cattle feeders as closeouts saw average profits increasing during the final week of 2021. Farrow-to-finish hog operations continue with negative profit margins.
Both cattle and hog finishing estimated margins were positive last week despite rising feed costs across both enterprises. Cattle slaughter totals increased while hog processing numbers were near steady.
Higher cash cattle prices and lower wholesale beef prices have erased much of the historic profits beef packers saw last year, according to estimates by Sterling Marketing, Inc.
Market leverage has shifted dramatically toward ranchers and cattle feeders over the past two months. The combination of rising cattle prices and declining wholesale beef prices has eroded historic packer margins.
The pendulum continues swinging toward cattle feeders as cash prices jumped $3 last week and left packers with their largest negative margins in nearly six years.
Public lands ranchers will have the opportunity to communicate face to face with federal agency administrators in Reno, Nevada on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, during an event hosted by Good Grazing Makes Cent$.
Water quantity and quality is critical to cattle health and performance. Hot weather and drought conditions can impact both water quality and quantity for cattle.
Within each of us is a collection of stories about how we’ve tried, failed, succeeded and overcame obstacles. These are meant to be shared to improve the lives of others. Here’s how.
Prices are higher as tighter numbers and beef supplies push markets toward record levels. The biggest question now is the extent herd rebuilding begins with increased heifer retention and reductions in cow slaughter.
Tips on mosquito types and ways to prevent, control and repel from a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist and professor in the Department of Entomology.
As the balers roll through the fields and hay meadows, now is the time for proper maintenance and regularly inspected equipment.
Compared to other animals, cattle can’t dissipate their heat load very effectively. Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool themselves.
Record packer margins were the tipping point to attract new capital to the business. There is now angst packer margins will be too low and these new companies won’t survive. But should we encourage government meddling?
Understanding the signs of heat stress, effective strategies to combat it, and maintaining optimal conditions to keep cattle cool are critical to beating the heat.
Sweet clover has many desirable characteristics and forms a deep soil-penetrating taproot that aids in water infiltration and aeration. Sweet clover also tolerates alkaline soils and benefits wildlife.
After pleading guilty in January to mail fraud in connection with misrepresenting and underreporting cattle he grazed on Bureau of Land Management range, a Montana man receives probation and ordered to pay restitution.