Beef Profit Tracker: Packer Margins Fall to -$50.59/head

ZISK
Dec 17, 2025
1 min read

Choice steer prices strengthened and gained nearly $7/cwt. to leave 5- Area Direct Steers averaging $227.90/cwt. for the week, which in turn pushed estimated feeding margins to average $272.06/head for the week compared to $109.82/head the prior week.

Sterling’s estimate for average packer margins for the week fell to an average -$50.59/head, against $163.37/head the prior week.

The Comprehensive Cutout was off $5/cwt. from the prior week to average $361.52/cwt. Sterling’s estimate for last week’s capacity utilization in fed plants continued to hover around 82%.

Click here to continue reading