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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.

Last week’s $2 per cwt cash cattle rally lifted feedyard margins to breakeven.

Last week’s $1 per cwt retreat in cash cattle prices took feedyard margins only modestly lower.

Last week’s $4-plus rally in cash fed cattle prices cut average feedyard losses in half, leaving the red ink totaling $90 on every animal shipped.

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

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.