Marketing-Communications

Taste, Flavor and Convenience Focus of New Pork Campaign

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:35:42 GMT

Consumers today are looking for taste, flavor and convenience. The new tag line for National Pork Board (NPB), Taste What Pork Can Do, aims to deliver. After two years of consumer research, the 40-year-old Pork Checkoff moves forward focusing on reaching the next generation of pork consumers and putting more profit into the pockets of producers.

“We all believe pork producers are quick to adopt research relative to genetics, technology, nutrition, animal husbandry,” says Jesse Heimer, Heimer Hampshires and NPB board member. “And this is another great example of where research is driving the decisions by the board, by the organization, with a campaign that was built not just for the producer, but for the consumer of pork, domestically.”

Heimer points out research shows today’s consumer doesn’t see pork at the center of the plate the same way previous generations did.

“This younger generation, they consume prosciutto and a charcuterie board. They consume el pastor tacos. They consume pepperoni pizza and carnitas. We have not even mentioned pork. Most of them don’t even realize they’re eating pork,” Heimer says. “It’s using pork to sell pork.”

NPB member Gordon Spronk points out the multicultural nature of the U.S., and how pork fits into it.

“The unique attribute of pork is it’s over 100 flavors, and that’s why it appeals to multiple cultures. No other protein can say that, and we say it,” Spronk says. “We’re not the other anything anymore. You know what we are? We’re pork.”

“As we think about our country, and we think about where all our growth is domestically with our population, those people like pork,” Heimer says. “They love pork, and we have so much opportunity as an industry to really capitalize on their flavor and taste preference in our protein.”

Jesse Heimer, Heimer Hampshires, NPB member

Meeting consumers where they are

David Newman, the senior vice president of market growth for the National Pork Board, says the entire campaign is about resonating with what matters to future consumers. He says we don’t raise hogs the same as 40 years ago, and the consumer doesn’t look the same either.

“We’ve got to come at them with promotional and a marketing campaign to celebrate what they want,” he explains. “And what they want is to be talked to about taste and flavor, about nutrition and balance and versatility.”

That means meeting them where they are — on their phones.

“That’s where they’ll see it,” Heimer adds. “The exposure and the awareness needs to happen at the point of purchase, or at the point that they’re going to make a decision about a purchase.”

With 77% of sales done at retail, traditional retail marketing is not dead; it’s just a digital first campaign, Newman points out. The campaign will use creative colors and advertising and partner with retail and food service.

“We’re seeing really successful retailer adoption of the new campaign, because they’re hungry for something that can sell more pork in their set, and especially when you think about competing proteins, it’s a really good time to be talking about margining up pork,” Newman says.

The data tells the story

Heimer, Spronk and Newman agree it’s a transformational time and opportunity to launch this new campaign with the consumer demand for protein so high. Further processed items such as bacon, ham, sausage and pizza can help connect consumers over to the fresh side, where the biggest risk is.

“Our data says the biggest risk is in fresh, so when we look at all of the market dynamics that are happening, including international, and we think about this from a standpoint that we produce 28 billion pounds of pork a year in the United States, we export 8 [billion],” Newman says. “That puts 20 billion pounds of consumption at risk right inside the borders of this country. I think that’s enough to justify why you need to be reminding consumers and celebrating all the attributes pork delivers to them.”

Time will tell how the campaign is reaching the target as it is a long-term process. Newman says there are measurements and key performance indicators to help the industry see the progress.

“First, we have the attitudinal measures like, how many people are watching the videos? How many people are seeing the banners? How many people are watching the ad on Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, everything else,” Newman says. “That’s the beauty of everything being digital today. We can track it.”

Next, the NPB will look at data that quantifies the value for producers, not just what retailers made.

“We need to deliver back the value that it brought to the farmers who paid for it, so that process is ongoing,” Newman says. “Right now, it will be ongoing for years, but as we start to quantify that, it’s not just about impressions or how many people saw our ad, it has to be this — how many people actually saw our ad, put a product in their basket, purchased it, ate it and came back and repeated it. And we can measure that.”

Your next read: Pork Producers Need to Be at Table During Policy Discussions

NPPC Asks Court: Lift Gag Order In N.C. Nuisance Suits

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:12:08 GMT

The National Pork Producers Council and the North Carolina Pork Council Monday evening filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of lifting a judge’s gag order on communications related to nuisance lawsuits filed against more than two dozen North Carolina hog farms.

Judge Earl Britt, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, in late June imposed the gag order on the parties, lawyers and potential witnesses in lawsuits brought against Murphy-Brown, the hog production subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. The judge said a “significant increase in trial publicity” and the “volume and scope of prejudicial publicity” about the first two cases – one decided in early May and the other two days after the gag order was implemented – could taint future jurors.

NPPC and NCPC filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Va., asking that it grant Murphy-Brown’s petition to vacate the District Court’s prior restraint on speech, noting that “All but the most carefully crafted, narrow gag orders are unconstitutional.”

The pork organizations argued that there is no compelling need for the gag order, the District Court did not consider alternatives to the order – including the jury selection process or jury instructions – the order is overbroad and vague, and it won’t be effective. On the latter point, they said it’s “not reasonable to think that any gag order will reduce coverage of these cases or blunt the public’s interest” in them.

In fact, there has been extensive coverage of the lawsuits from media outlets in the state and around the country and from advocacy groups and people outside the scope of the gag order.

“The greatest risk of [jury] prejudice,” NPPC and NCPC argued, “isn’t the existence of publicity; it is the existence of one-sided publicity that has resulted from the gag order. …”

“As we pointed out in our friend-of-the-court brief, this gag order has had a chilling effect on all hog farmers in North Carolina,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Ohio. “As potential witnesses, they’re prohibited from saying anything about or defending their operations, while those opposed to hog farming are free to attack those farmers in the press.”

In three of the nuisance cases decided over the past three months, including one last week, juries have levied a combined $99 million in compensatory and punitive damages against family farmers over noise and odors from their hog farms. A total of 26 lawsuits have been filed.

4 Tips to Grow as a Leader

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:25:09 GMT

Sometimes stepping into leadership hardly feels like a choice, especially when you hear the age-old phrase: Someone should do something. It really hits home when you look around and realize that someone is you.

If your journey into a leadership role is imminent, one of the most important ways to get started is through cultivating influence, but building influence isn’t an egotistical thing. It’s about getting the attention of those who need to hear from you to trust your message.

Two ways to build influence are through using effective communication and building a network.

First, influential communication is about meeting people where they are and communicating with them in a way they understand and accept. For example, let’s say you need to step into leadership in your own farm operation with employees or family members. Does the process of communication currently work in your operation? If not, consider building your own communication norms.

Everyone’s different today. Some like to text, some like to pick up the phone, some like group apps, and some don’t. One of the easiest fixes is to get a norm that everyone’s bought into and agrees to use. Try to practice active listening to better understand the needs and concerns of your team.

Next, surround yourself with a support network of mentors, peers and friends who are able to provide guidance, encouragement and a safe space to share your fears and doubts.

Here’s a recap of some tried and tested ways to grow as a leader that you might want to consider going into the new year:

Join a Board of Directors
Get involved in your local community, whether it’s ag-based or not, by volunteering to serve on a board of directors or get yourself elected to the board of a corn or soybean association, town council or rural electric cooperative. You’ll learn new skills and be involved in high-level decisions that provide new insights into your business.

Build a Peer Advisory Board
If you can’t join one, build one. By assembling an advisory board for your own
business with people who have an outside perspective on your operation (not family or staff), you’ll create deeper relationships with professionals and mentors you trust. It’s a great way to bounce new ideas around with those not too close to the business.

Join a Peer-Group Network
A peer-group network managed by a third-party facilitator is a fantastic way to deepen your relationships with like-minded, growth-oriented producers. Share stories, benchmark your financials, and be ready to get valuable feedback.

Attend Workshops
Get out and go! If you don’t have at least one or two professional conferences or workshops on your calendar each year, you should start researching a few. Content, learning and engaging with others is necessary to keep approaches fresh. Hint: Top Producer Summit is coming up!

Stepping into leadership is a journey that requires courage and self-awareness. While the fear of leadership is natural, don’t let it be a barrier to personal and professional growth.

Remember, leadership is not about being fearless but about finding the strength to lead despite your fears.

2024 Top Producer Summit
Feb. 5 to 7
Kansas City

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Dip $31 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:04 GMT

Cattle feeding margins dipped more than $31 per head lower last week to average $157. The loss in profitability was due to an average $1.86 per cwt. decrease in cash cattle prices, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

Profit margins for pork producers dropped $3.08 per head last week to $72.59 per head. The decrease was tied to a $0.22 per cwt. loss in negotiated cash prices. Both beef and pork margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were $271 per head more than at the same time last year when $114 per head losses were recorded. Beef cutout values remained steady with a slight increase, and packer margins increased $67.41 per head, leaving packers with per head gains of $20.89. A week ago packers recorded losses of $46 on every animal processed, while profits totaled $93 per head at the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins posted a loss from last week, and are now more than $14.50 per head less than last month. Pork packers saw their margins increase slightly last week, with the average at $1.85 in the profit column for every animal processed.

The spike in both cattle feeding and farrow-to-finish profits this spring is due to significantly higher cash prices and lower overall feed prices. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $21 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $19 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Significant Rise

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

Profit margins for cattle feeders rose significantly in the past week, while pork producers saw a slight decrease from their still profitable farrow to finish operations.

Cattle feeders recorded average profits of $357.58 per head last week, more than $77 per head higher than the previous week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . The margins represent a $506 per head improvement over the average losses of $148.49 recorded last year at this time, according to estimates developed by John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef cutout values were up $4.12 per cwt. last week, and beef packer margins increased $3.40 per head to end the week with proits of $71.50 per head. A month ago packers saw profits of $80.89 on every animal processed, and gains totaled just $17.69 per head at the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins declined $9.09 per head but profits remain more than $102 per head. That is nearly an $85 difference from last year when pork producers saw only a $17.59 profit. Negotiated cash hog prices declined $4.13 per cwt. to $128.01 per cwt. Pork packers were estimated to make $5.26 for every animal processed.

The spike in both cattle feeding and farrow-to-finish profits this summer is due to significantly higher cash prices and lower overall feed prices. Cash prices for fed cattle are more than $44 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are nearly $27 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Rising

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

As America’s cattle market continues to defy historical trends, cattle feeding margins have benefited with solid profits most of the year. So far, June has produced weekly increases to per head feedyard profit margins, a rare occurrence in historical feedyard closeout data.

Last week saw cattle feeding margins increase $8 per head to an average of $172. The modest increase in profitability was due to $1 higher cash fed cattle prices and a slight decline in the average cost of gain, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

Profit margins for pork producers recorded slight gains last week at $74.74 per head. Negotiated cash hog prices were reported at $1.50 per cwt. higher for the week while feed costs declined slightly. Pork packers recorded average profits of $9.56 per hog last week, up from the $3 profits they earned the week before. Both beef and pork margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were $306 per head more than at the same time last year when $133 per head losses were recorded. Beef cutout values declined $1.44 per cwt. last week, and packer margins declined $14 per head, leaving packers with per head profits of $47. A month ago packers recorded losses of $47 on every animal processed, while profits totaled $61 per head at the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins are about $6 per cwt. below where they were a month ago, though significantly better than last year’s $7.35 per head profits. The spike in both cattle feeding and farrow-to-finish profits this spring is due to significantly higher cash prices and lower overall feed prices. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $24 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are more than $14 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Steady

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

Last week saw cattle feeding margins decrease $2.38 per head to an average profit of $170. The modest decline in profitability was due to higher cash costs for feeder cattle against fed cattle marketed last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

Profit margins for pork producers recorded gains last week of $8.01 per head for average profits of $74.74 per head. Negotiated cash hog prices were reported at $5.65 per cwt. higher for the week while feed costs declined slightly. Pork packers recorded average profits of $4.26 per hog last week, down from the $9.69 per head profits they earned the week before. Both beef and pork margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were $367 per head more than at the same time last year when $196 per head losses were recorded. Beef cutout values increased $3.90 per cwt. last week, and packer margins declined $24 per head, leaving packers with per head profits of $23. A month ago packers recorded losses of $47 on every animal processed, while profits totaled $71 per head at the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins are about $6 per cwt. above where they were a month ago, and significantly better than the $18 per head profits seen last year. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $30 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are more than $15 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Near $200

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

Cattle feeders saw a significant, unseasonal bump in profit margins last week. Mid-June typically finds cash fed cattle prices drifting lower as supplies increase. Last week , however, produced a fed cattle market steady to $2 higher, and the result was nearly a $25 increase in per head profits.

Cattle feeding margins jumped to $194 per head last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Likewise, pork producers experienced a near $10 per head bump in profit margins. Farrow to finish margins are now more than $91 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were $373 per head more than at the same time last year when $179 per head losses were recorded. Beef cutout values increased nearly $7 per cwt. last week, and packer margins increased more than $25 per head, leaving packers with per head profits of $49.39. A month ago packers recorded profits of $20 on every animal processed, while profits totaled $81 per head at the same time last year. Pork packers saw a slight decrease in profit margins from $4.15 to $3.98 per head last week.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins are about $19 per cwt. above where they were a month ago, and significantly better than the $24 per head profits seen last year. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $30 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are more than $19 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: No Dog Days Here

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

The dog days of summer are nowhere to be found with profits continuing to increase for both cattle and hog producers. Cattle feeders recorded average profits of $280.08 per head last week, up significantly from the previous week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. The margins represent a $442 per head improvement over the average losses of $162 recorded last year at this time, according to estimates developed by John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef cutout values increased $6 per cwt. last week, while beef packer margins saw a big swing increasing by $31.95 to a margin of $81.07 per head. A week ago packers were making just $49.12 on every animal processed, and earnings totaled a little less at $73.15 per head the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins increased $10.20 per head to more than $101 per head. Negotiated cash hog prices rallied almost $6 per cwt. to $127.22 per cwt. Pork packer margins saw a down turn with losses of $0.18 per head, compared to a profit of $3.87 last week.

The continued rise in both cattle feeding and farrow-to-finish profits is due to significantly higher cash prices and lower overall feed prices. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $35 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are approximately $25 per cwt. higher than last year.

Cow-calf producers have also seen a drastic change in profit margins compared to the past few years. Currently producers are averaging $480 in profit per cow, that’s nearly double the $243.05 made last year and more promising than the $153.60 margin reported in 2011.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Rebound

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:17:02 GMT

Cattle feeding margins increased nearly $8 per head higher last week to average $164. The slight increase in profitability was due to steady cash cattle prices and a decline in the average cost of gain, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

Profit margins for pork producers held steady last week at $72.66 per head. Negotiated cash hog prices were reported at $1 per cwt. lower for the week, offset by declining feed costs. Both beef and pork margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were $273 per head more than at the same time last year when $109 per head losses were recorded. Beef cutout values increased $3 per cwt. last week, and packer margins improved $42 per head, leaving packers with per head profits of $62. A month ago packers recorded profits of $17 on every animal processed, while profits totaled $85 per head at the same time last year.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins are roughly at the same place they were a month ago, though significantly better than last year’s $4.65 per head profits. The spike in both cattle feeding and farrow-to-finish profits this spring is due to significantly higher cash prices and lower overall feed prices. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $21 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are more than $16 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Drop $87 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:59 GMT

Cattle feeding margins declined $87 per head last week, but remain near $200. That’s a tidy profit, especially considering feedyards were losing more than $41 per head at the same time last year. The decline in profit margins was due to a $5 per cwt. decline in fed prices last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Farrow to finish pork margins declined $16 per head to $61.74. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Cattle feeders’ profits last week were a whopping $240 per head more than at the same time last year. Beef cutout values declined about $5 per cwt., and packer margins improved $2 per head last week to total $112 per head. Packer profits totaled $9 per head at the same time last year. Pork packers saw a $7 per head decline in profit margins to $7.23 per head.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins are about $50 per lower than they were a month ago, but significantly better than the $25 per head profits seen last year. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $31 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $10 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Losing Steam

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:59 GMT

Profitability for both cattle and hog producers has been losing steam for the past month, but things could be a lot worse. Cattle feeders recorded average profits of $162.67 per head last week, down more than $35 from the previous week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . The margins represent a $222 per head improvement over the average losses of $59 recorded last year at this time, according to estimates developed by John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef cutout values dropped almost $6 per cwt. last week, while beef packer margins saw an increase nearly $8 per head. A week ago packers were making just under $111 on every animal processed, and earnings totaled almost ten times worse at the same time last year when packers made $14.62 per head.

Farrow-to-finish hog margins dropped $21.42 per head this week. Negotiated cash hog prices fell $10 per cwt. to $99.72 per cwt. Pork packer margins saw a jump with profits of $11 per head, compared to a profit of $7.35 last week.

Cash prices for fed cattle are more than $30 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are approximately $25 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Cash Rally Fuels Higher Feeding Profits

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:59 GMT

Cattle feeding margins improved $27 per head last week pushing average profits above $227 per head. Profits jumped higher on a $4 per cwt. advance in cash prices despite a $6 per head increase in feed costs, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeding margins sat at $89 per head. Farrow to finish pork margins held steady at slightly more than $63 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Futures markets attempted to pull cash down last week, but smaller show lists and strength in the boxed beef trade resulted in $2 to $4 gains for cash fed cattle. Prices were mostly $164 to $167 per cwt. live and $258 to $263 per cwt. dressed. Cattle feeders are seeking higher prices this week.

With the Choice cutout improving nearly $7 per cwt. last week, packer margins improved significantly, though packers continue to lose $40 on every animal processed. At this time last year packers were losing about $65 per head. Pork packers saw their average profits increase about $3.50 per head last week to more than $22.

Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $36 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $17 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $527 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall $45 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:59 GMT

Cattle feeding margins declined $45 per head last week as cash cattle prices dipped $3 per cwt. according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . The softer cattle market was a reflection of increasing supplies of market-ready cattle and the fact packers are struggling with negative margins. Despite the decline in feeding margins, feedyard profits remain above $186 per head. A year ago feedyard margins were approximately $42 per head. Farrow to finish pork margins improved $6.37 per head to $54. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Feed costs continue to decline for cattle feeders. Cattle marketed last week saw feed costs about $77 per head less than cattle marketed at the same time last year. Feed costs for cattle placed on feed last week are projected to be another $100 per head lower.

Beef packer margins declined $23 per head last week leaving packers with losses of just more than $11 per head. Packer profits have been on the decline in recent weeks, though last week’s losses were less than the $30 per head losses recorded last year at this time. Pork packers saw a $6.40 per head gain in profitability to end the week with average margins of $4.48 per head. Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $34 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $9 per cwt. higher than last year.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Jump Above $230 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Record cash fed cattle prices last week at $171 - $172 per cwt. boosted cattle feeding margins $22 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Feeding profits are up about $56 per head from a month ago, and $147 per head higher than the same week a year ago. Farrow to finish pork margins improved $4 per head to slightly more than $34 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw their margins fall further into the red, with losses now totaling more than $83 per head, Sterling Marketing estimates. Those losses are nearly double what they were a month ago and $48 more than last year’s average losses of $35 per head. The beef cutout was up only slightly last week at $247.88.

Pork packers saw their margins slip $2 per head, with profits now just over $7 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $38 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $6 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $556 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Decline $50 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Cattle feeding margins declined $52 per head last week despite steady cash prices. Cattle feeders saw profits slip to an average of $175 per head after topping $227 per head the week before, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Shrinking profits were due to higher procurement prices paid for feeder cattle. A year ago cattle feeding margins sat at $88 per head. Farrow to finish pork margins slipped $8 per head to slightly more than $55 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers also saw declining margins last week, with average per head losses at $44, compared with losses of $41 per head the week before. Last year at this time packers were losing $66 per head. The boxed beef cutout improved more than $3 per hundredweight last week to $245.87 per cwt. Cash fed cattle prices were quoted at $164.

Pork packers saw their margins slip more than $4 per head, but profits remain more than $18 per head. They were losing about $3 per head last year.

Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $35 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $12 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $527 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Increase $38 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Cattle feeding margins improved $38 per head last week as cash fed cattle prices rallied $6 per cwt. Cattle feeders saw profits climb to $213 per head after slipping to $175 per head the week before, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeding margins sat at $124 per head. Farrow to finish pork margins slipped $17 per head to slightly more than $38 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw declining margins last week, with average per head losses at $68, compared with losses of $44 per head the week before. Last year at this time packers were losing $55 per head. The boxed beef cutout remained nearly steady last week to $245.75 per cwt. Cash fed cattle prices were quoted at $170.

Pork packers saw their margins slip nearly $10 per head, but profits remain more than $8 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $38 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $6 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $527 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Remain North of $200 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Despite a $2 per cwt. decline in cash fed cattle prices last week, cattle feeding margins remain more than $209 per head. Profit margins declined just $4 per head last week, but are $9 per head higher than a month ago, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeding margins sat at $132 per head. Farrow to finish pork margins slipped $11 per head to slightly more than $27 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw declining margins last week, with average per head losses at $83, compared with losses of $68 per head the week before. Last year at this time packers were losing $43 per head. The boxed beef cutout gained nearly $3 per cwt. last week to $248.51 per cwt. Cash fed cattle prices were quoted at $167.

Pork packers saw their margins slip nearly $6 per head, with profits now just about $3 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $35 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $2 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $527 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Steady Above $200 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Steady cash fed cattle prices at $167 per cwt. last week left cattle feeding margins at a tidy $209 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Feeding profits are down about $20 per head from a month ago, but $177 per head higher than the same week a year ago. Farrow to finish pork margins improved nearly $2 per head to slightly more than $29 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by John Nalivka, president, Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw modest improvement to their long-running negative margins. Sterling Marketing estimates that beef packer margins improved $8 per head last week, leaving average losses at $75 per animal processed. Those losses are nearly double what they were a month ago and $45 more than last year’s average losses of $30 per head. The beef cutout declined about $1 per cwt. last week to $247.36.

Pork packers saw their margins slip nearly $4 per head, with profits now just under $10 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are nearly $36 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $5 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $556 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeder Cattle Prices Come Home to Roost

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Despite another record-setting week for cash cattle trades, feedyard margins declined more than $100 per head. It’s not a misprint. Two weeks ago average feedyard margins were $231 per head. Last week, when cash cattle traded at $173 to $174 per cwt., average feedyard margins dropped to $132 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker .

How is that possible? “It’s the result of higher feeder cattle prices for cattle placed in June against this week’s marketings,” says Sterling President John Nalivka. “The price of feeder steers against last week’s fed cattle sales were $16 per cwt. higher than the week before. That’s about $120 to $130 per head, and accounts for the large decline in profit margins for last week’s fed cattle marketings.”

The sharp decline in cattle feeding profits still leaves margins about $87 per head higher than last year when profits were estimated at $45 per head, according to Nalivka. Farrow-to-finish pork margins improved $5 per head last week to nearly $40 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw their margins hold steady, though losses remain at nearly $84 per head, Sterling Marketing estimates. Those losses are $28 per head more than last year’s average losses of $57 per head. The beef cutout was up nearly $4 per cwt. at $251.57.

Pork packers saw their margins slip more than $43 per head, with profits now just over $4 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $41 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $8 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $556 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Substantially Lower

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:56 GMT

Cattle feeding margins nose-dived $100 per head last week, settling at $45 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . Cash cattle prices averaged $166 to $167, fully $4 per cwt. lower than the previous week. Increasing costs of feeder cattle are also playing a larger role in feedyard closeouts. The price of feeder cattle accounted for nearly 78% of the total cost of producing a finished steer, or about 9% more than this time last year. Farrow-to-finish pork margins declined slightly, closing last week with a per head profit of $40. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw their margins improve $8 per head, though losses remain at $70 per head, Sterling Marketing estimates. Those losses are $34 per head more than last year’s average losses of $36 per head. The beef cutout was down about $1 at $252.17.

Pork packers saw their margins improve about $1 per head, with profits now just over $3 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $36 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $7 per cwt. higher than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $556 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $243 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Packers In The Black, Feedyard Margins Ugly

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Beef packers put away the red ink last week as they turned modest profits on every animal processed. Feedyard margins, however, slipped a little further away from positive.

Despite a near $3 per cwt. gain in cash cattle prices last week, feedyard losses increased about $3 per head, leaving average per head losses at more than $153. Last week’s 5-area direct cash price for fed steers was $161.34, well below the average breakeven price of $173.13, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeders were earning $233 on every animal sold.

Beef cutout prices trended more than $3 per cwt. higher to $248.33, helping packer margins improve more than $20 per head, resulting in profits of $3.94 on every animal processed.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins slipped nearly $8 per head, producing losses of nearly $1 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

The cost of feeder cattle factored against last week’s live cattle sales was up about t$5 per head compared to the previous week. Feeder cattle represent more than 81% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 73% of that total cost.

A month ago beef packers were losing $7 on every animal processed, while a year ago packers were losing $55, Sterling Marketing estimates. Pork packers saw their margins slip $2 per head, with losses now at $6 per head. Cash prices for fed cattle are $12 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $47 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $579 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $548 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Losses Exceed $150 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Packers are making headway against negative margins, but feedyards are losing ground. Cash cattle prices dipped nearly 50 cents per cwt. last week, increasing feedyard losses $45 per head, leaving average per head losses at more than $150. Last week’s 5-area direct cash price for fed steers was $158.67, well below the average breakeven price of $170.23, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeders were earning $284 on every animal sold.

Boxed cutout prices trended nearly $7 per cwt. higher to $244.95, helping packer margins improve nearly $80 per head, leaving losses at $15 on every animal processed.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins improved nearly $15 per head, producing profits of $7 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

The cost of feeder cattle factored against last week’s live cattle sales was up about t$5 per head compared to the previous week. Feeder cattle represent more than 81% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 73% of that total cost.

A month ago beef packers were losing $7 on every animal processed, while a year ago packers were losing $80, Sterling Marketing estimates. Pork packers saw their margins slip $6 per head, with profits now at $10 per head. Cash prices for fed cattle are $7 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $31 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $579 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $548 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Losses Exceed $100 Per Head

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Whether you’re cattle feeder or packer, ledger sheets are full of red ink. Cash cattle prices dipped nearly $2 per cwt. last week, increasing feedyard losses $28 per head, leaving average per head losses at more than $105. Last week’s 5-area direct cash price for fed steers was $159.04, well below the average breakeven price of $167.12, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeders were earning $253 on every animal sold.

Boxed cutout prices trended nearly $1 per cwt. higher to $238.67, but packer margins only improved $3 per head, leaving losses at $95 on every animal processed.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins declined $6 per head, dropping closeouts to $7.68 in the red. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

The cost of feeder cattle factored against last week’s live cattle sales was relatively unchanged from the previous week. Feeder cattle represent more than 80% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 73% of that total cost.

A month ago beef packers were earning $48 on every animal processed, while a year ago packers were losing $82, Sterling Marketing estimates. Pork packers saw their margins improve $1 per head, with profits now at $16 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $13 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $33 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $579 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $548 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Plunge Lower

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Cattle feeding margins declined $45 per head last week, leaving average per head losses at more than $77. Last week’s 5-area direct cash price for fed steers was $161.74, up more than $1 from the previous week, but still below the average breakeven price of $167.67, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A year ago cattle feeders were earning $209 on every animal sold.

A $2.50 per cwt. decline in the boxed cutout price drove packer margins $45 per head lower, leaving losses at $99 on every animal processed.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins declined $14 per head, dropping closeouts to $1.23 in the red. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

The cost of feeder cattle factored against last week’s live cattle sales was $8 per cwt. higher than the previous week, while the total costs for the animal and feed was $56 per head lower. Feeder cattle represent nearly 80% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 69% of that total cost.

A month ago beef packers were earning $12 on every animal processed, while a year ago packers were losing $83, Sterling Marketing estimates. Pork packers saw their margins improve $4 per head, with profits now at $15 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $20 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $26 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $579 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $548 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Improve, Remain Red

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Cattle feeding margins improved nearly $25 per head last week, but average per head losses remain more than $32. Last week’s 5-area direct cash price for fed steers was $160.62, up more than $1 from the previous week, but still below the average breakeven price of $163.11, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. A year ago cattle feeders were earning $145 on every animal sold.

A $5 per cwt. decline in the boxed beef price drove packer margins $45 per head lower, leaving losses at $52 on every animal processed.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins were unchanged at a positive $13 per head. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

The cost of feeder cattle factored against last week’s live cattle sales was unchanged last week, while the total costs for the animal and feed was $8 per head lower. Feeder cattle represent nearly 80% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 69% of that total cost.

A month ago beef packers were losing an average of $58 on every animal processed, while a year ago packers were losing $56, Sterling Marketing estimates. Pork packers saw their margins decline about $2 per head, with profits now at $11 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $20 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $4 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $579 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $548 per cow.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Bounce Higher

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:16:54 GMT

Cattle feeding margins jumped $43 per head higher last week on sharply higher cash cattle sales. Live cattle sales averaged $4 per hundredweight higher last week with relatively steady total feeding costs, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker . A month ago feeders were losing an average of $32 per head, while a year ago profits totaled $123 per head.

The 5-area Direct cash price last week was $169.62, while the cost of feeder cattle factored into last week’s Profit Tracker was $1 per head higher than the previous week. Feeder cattle represent nearly 80% of the total cost for finishing a steer, up significantly from last year when feeder cattle represented 68% of that total cost.

Farrow-to-finish pork margins fell $3 per head last week, closing with a per head profit of $6. Both beef and pork profit margins are calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore.

Beef packers saw their margins decline $7 per head, with losses now at more than $57 per head, Sterling Marketing estimates. Those losses are $13 per head more than last year’s average losses of $44 per head. The beef cutout was up $5 at $250.69 per cwt.

Pork packers saw their margins decline about $3 per head, with profits now at $6 per head.

Cash prices for fed cattle are $29 per cwt. higher than last year, and negotiated hog prices are $2 per cwt. lower than last year.

Nalivka projects average cash profit margins for cow-calf producers at $743 per cow this year. Last year’s estimated average cow-calf margins were $556 per cow.

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Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Dip $31 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Significant Rise

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Rising

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Steady

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Near $200

Profit Tracker: No Dog Days Here

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Rebound

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Drop $87 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Losing Steam

Profit Tracker: Cash Rally Fuels Higher Feeding Profits

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall $45 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Jump Above $230 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Decline $50 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Increase $38 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Remain North of $200 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeding Profits Steady Above $200 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feeder Cattle Prices Come Home to Roost

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Substantially Lower

Profit Tracker: Packers In The Black, Feedyard Margins Ugly

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Losses Exceed $150 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Losses Exceed $100 Per Head

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Plunge Lower

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Improve, Remain Red

Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Bounce Higher

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