According to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker, calculated by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Oregon, estimated beef packer margins for the week ending Nov. 5 were $70 per head, up $4 per head from the previous week and down 90% from estimated margins a year ago of $674 per head.

Last week’s Choice beef cutout averaged $258.95 per cwt., about $2 higher than the previous week and down $26 per cwt. (9%) from the same week a year ago.