Sterling Profit Tracker
Feeding losses approach $250, packer margins weaken
In a dismal post-holiday marketing week cattle feeding losses increased another $60 per head, leaving feedlots with a $250 hickey on each animal sold. Packers had their own problems but kept profit margins well into the black.
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Corn futures drop after USDA's reports
Corn futures are trading lower at midsession. Corn prices have rescinded from early morning highs with the July contract trading lower by 11 cents.
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Cattle feeding losses increase, packer margins weaken
Cattle feeding losses increased last week despite a $1 increase in cash prices. Packers saw their profit margins cut significantly during the holiday week. Pork producers continue earning tidy profits.
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Feeding losses continue to mount, packers comfortable
Packer margins increased another $17 per head last week as feeding margins continue to erode. Pork producer margins remain solidly in the black but slipped some as cash prices declined $2 per hundredweight.
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Packers dealt a full house; feeding losses continue
Virtually all the leverage belonged to beef packers last week and their profits more than doubled as a result. Cattle feeding losses continued to fall well short of break even. Pork producers, however, saw their profits rise substantially on higher cash prices.
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Soybeans trade 49 to 52 cents higher at midday
Corn futures are trading 12 to 24 cents higher midmorning. New crop contracts continue to push higher on forecasts for hotter, dryer weather across the U.S. Corn Belt.
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Cattle feeding losses more than double with cash market decline
A $3 per hundredweight decline in cash fed cattle prices last week pushed cattle feeding losses substantially higher, while packers saw their margins improve. Rising cash hog prices have pushed average pork producer margins to more than $30 per head.
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Packers retain their clout, but margins slip with higher bids
Packer margins declined and feeding margins improved as cash cattle prices inched $1 per hundredweight higher. Negotiated hog prices jumped more than $6 per hundredweight, doubling profits for pork producers last week.
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Cattle feeding margins drop, packer margins improve
Lower cash fed cattle prices last week drove cattle feeding margins further into the red. Beef packers saw improving margins, as did pork producers, who saw profits nearly double. Pork packer margins continue to decline.
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Feeding margins closer to the black, packer margins slip
A rally in cash cattle prices helped pull cattle feeding margins closer to breakeven, while beef packer margins declined. Cash hog prices also rallied, lifting pork producer margins into the black for the first time this month.
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Cattle feeding margins improve, packer margins slip
Steady cash fed cattle prices and lower breakevens on finished cattle helped feeding margins improve, but losses remain on most cattle. Packers saw their margins decline, but remain in the black. Pork producer margins declined for the week.
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- Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
- TSCRA works with sale barns to catch Houston cattle thief
- Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
- More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
- Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early
- NASA backs 3D food printer to feed growing population
