Pork packer margins as estimated by Sterling averaged $45.94/head and the highest since the week ending January 27, 2024, following a stronger Pork Cutout which averaged $97.25 for the week compared to $94.55 a week earlier.
The W. Cornbelt Lean Carcass Value was down about $1/cwt. from the prior week to average $70.64/cwt.
Farrow-to-finish margins as estimated by Sterling continued to weaken averaging $11.63/head for the week. Packing plant capacity utilization remains strong.
View the full Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending Dec. 13.
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.)
