Sterling estimated farrow-to-finish margins were down $12/head leaving the weekly average at $51.84/head.
Unlike cattle feeding margins, farrow-to-finish break-evens remain very manageable about $65.50/cwt. The W. Cornbelt lean carcass price averaged $92.27/cwt. and down about $6/cwt. from the prior week.
Sterling estimated packer margins last week were $11.27/head and a notable improvement from the prior week when they averaged $3.27/head.
View the full Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending Oct. 18.
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.)
