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Most analysts expected feedyards to be near breakeven by the time the calendar turned to May. May is here and the underperforming cash fed cattle market has kept feedyards struggling.

Cattle prices have fallen and so are profits.

Last week’s $2 per cwt. decline in cash cattle prices left feedyard margins at near breakeven levels.

Feedyard margins saw only slight improvement last week as direct trade prices held steady.

Losses continue to mount for feedlots.

The red ink has started to slow down for feedlots and cattle prices have rallied lately, giving beef producers something to be thankful for.

Cattle feeders earned a small profit on cattle sold last week, the first positive closeouts in months.

Normally when profit margins decline $50-plus per head there’s no rejoicing.

Cattle feeders earned average profits of $68 per head last week, $30 per head more than the previous week.