U.S. meat packer margins fell further last week as beef and, to a lesser extent pork, values contracted while animal procurement costs remain high. WPI’s models estimate beef packers lost $145/head last week, which is the second-largest weekly loss since our models began in 2010. Pork packers continue to see small but profitable margins and pork demand remains moderately strong and heavier carcass weights are adding to sellable product volumes. Cattle feeders saw placement margins fall last week as live cattle futures slipped lower and while feeder cattle prices remain high. Closeout margins from southern Plains feedlots also dipped on lower fed cattle prices and higher feeder cattle purchase and feed costs. The hog producer sector sa...

TAGS – Livestock, North America