Download PDF The pork cutout got back to its winning ways this week, advancing $1.13 on a weekly average basis to $92.93. The negotiated hog markets continued higher, with prices in the WCB region averaging $78.41, up $2.65 from the week before. This market is a forecaster’s dream. No need to worry about sharp changes …
Download PDF Light kills in the past few weeks has made it easier for packers to keep upward pressure on the cutouts. This week, the Choice cutout gained $4.39 on a weekly average basis in moving to $310.39 and the Select cutout added $4.52 on its way to $300.72. Unfortunately for them, they ended up …
Download PDF This was the second week in a row where gains in hog prices outpaced increases in the cutout. The cutout only added a paltry $0.23/cwt. on a weekly average basis while the NDD negotiated market was up $2.42. As a result, packer margins trended lower and now stand at just a little under …
Download PDF Another week, another increase in cash cattle prices. This week cattle feeders were able to coax another $2/cwt. out of packers as the cash trade nationally averaged a little over $185. Packers got a small consolation prize in the beef markets where the Choice cutout gained $2.80/cwt. on a weekly average basis in …
Download PDF Belly prices stumbled this week and that was enough to move the cutout below the previous week’s level. The cutout averaged $91.57, down $0.31/cwt from the week before. However, it isn’t all bad news because the belly primal is the only part of the carcass that is currently trending lower. All of the …
Download PDF Packers slashed the kill last week in hopes of correcting their dismal margin situation and it worked to a small degree. The Choice cutout gained $4.68/cwt. on a weekly average basis and the Select cutout added $5.89/cwt. That was just a little more of an increase than was needed to cover the cost …
Download PDF It was a trifecta week in the US hog and pork complex—the negotiated markets move up a little over $3, the LHI gained a little over $3 and the pork cutout moved $3.49 higher on a weekly average basis. The only one that didn’t join the “three club” was the nearby LH futures, …
Download PDF This week when the futures market turned suddenly lower on Thursday, cattle feeders didn’t take the bait and continued to hold out until Friday. That netted them a nice $3 increase in the live market to $183 and a $4-5 increase in the dressed markets. If you recall, in the week prior three …
Download PDF Cattle futures started the week with a negative tone, posting losses for the first three days. Packers seized on the opportunity and began bidding $178 on Tuesday. By Wednesday, they raised bids to $180 and found cattle feeders to be willing sellers at $2 under the previous week’s price. Once the cash market …
Download PDF The hog and pork complex resumed its upward push this week as the cutout gained $2.36 to average $88.39/cwt. and the WCB negotiated market added $3.47 on a weekly average basis. Friday afternoon, the cutout broke above the $90 level for the first time since early October. That helped to inspire confidence in …