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Last week’s market rally helped feedyards erase much of their red ink, but not all.

Another miserable week left many in the cattle feeding business on the brink of financial ruin.

The crisis continues for America’s cattle feeders.

A $6-plus per cwt. gain in cash cattle prices produced a 20% improvement in feeding margins.

Cattle feeding margins improved by 50% over the past two weeks, and by 38% during the past week.

A cash market rally helped add $62 per head to feedyard margins last week, ending with total average profits of $212 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Cattle feeding profits declined $20vper head last week, yet closeouts remained $11 in the black.

Cattle feeding margins eroded $62 per head last week, falling $35 into negative territory.

The dog days of summer are here for cattle producers as red ink continues seeping into feedlot ledgers.

Feedyards are as close to breaking even on a cash basis as they’ve been during any point in the past 18 months.