Farrow-to-finish margins gained nearly $8/head last week as indicated by Sterling estimated average of $65.55/head. Calculated break-evens were down slightly from the prior week while the W. Cornbelt Lean Carcass Value averaged $95.12/cwt. for the week compared to $92.55/cwt. a week earlier.
Pork packer margins eroded further last week with Sterling’s estimated average for the week at -$7.60/head compared to $1.01/head the previous week as the result of the stronger Lean Carcass Value and weakness in the Pork Cutout. The Pork Cutout averaged $96.32/cwt. down from $97.81/cwt. a week earlier.
View the full Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending May 9.
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.)
