On the pork side, margins for both packers and producers remained positive with some improvement for producers last week as the W. Cornbelt lean carcass value was stronger to average $72.26/cwt. for the week.
Sterling’s estimate for farrow-to-finish margins was $12/head compared to $8/head the previous week, but still well below returns of $20/head a year ago. Packers lost ground paying more for hogs while facing a weaker cutout value. The Pork Cutout averaged $92.10/cwt. against $94.60/cwt. the prior week. Plant utilization remains strong.
View the full Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending Jan. 10.
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.)
