Cash-traded feeder pig reported volume was below average this past week, with 12,675 head reported. Cash feeder pig reported prices were $59.01, up $3.51 per head from last week.

Negotiated cash cattle increased an average of $2.20 per cwt. the week ending Sept. 28. Farrow-to-finish hog producers found positive margins of $8.55 per head last week, down $1.75 from the previous week.

Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was above average this past week, with 71,860 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $40.08, up $1.80 per head from last week.

If there were any surprises in the latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report, Lee Schulz says it came in the market hogs and pigs by weights categories.

Beef packers saw profits drop $54 per head to a loss of $18 per head. Pork packers saw average profits of $20 per head, down $2 from the previous week.

In anticipation of the USDA Hogs and Pigs Report that will be released on Thursday, Sept. 26, Steiner Consulting Group shared expectations from six analysts polled ahead of the report.

Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was above average this past week, with 75,100 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $38.28, up $1.61 per head from last week.

Negotiated cash cattle increased an average of $1.18 per cwt. the week ending Sept. 14 and profit margins dropped by $13 per head to an industry average of $130.66 per head, according to Sterling Marketing. Farrow-to-finish hog producers found positive margins of $16 per head last week, down $2.91 from the previous week.

Cash-traded feeder pig reported volume was below average this past week, with 13,215 head reported. Cash feeder pig reported prices were $55.08, up $0.22 per head from last week.

The key is demand and managing feedlot break-evens as cattle numbers continue to decline, says John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing Inc.