Hog producers saw some further gain in their margins last week as the W. Cornbelt lean carcass value averaged $70.12/cwt. compared to $68.75 the previous week leaving producer margins at $7.77/head against $4/head a week earlier.
The stronger lean carcass value coupled with a weaker cutout value ($94.60/cwt. compared to $96.62/cwt. a week earlier) left pork packers with a reduced margin last week. Sterling’s estimated average pork packer margins for the week were $41.34/head.
View the full Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending Jan. 3.
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.)
