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Cattle feeding margins are rapidly declining as cash cattle prices retreat from spring highs

Cattle feeding margins jumped nearly $17 per head higher last week to average $196.50.

Profit margins for both beef and pork producers moved slightly higher last week, ending a month-long downward trend. Both sectors remain solidly profitable.

The increase in margins was the third consecutive weekly gain, leaving average profits above $230 per head.

Cattle feeding margins declined $22 per head last week, but remain more than $280.

Cattle feeders saw another significant bump in profit margins last week.

The pain eased somewhat for cattle feeders last week, but losses remain more than $170 per head.

It was another ugly week for cattle feeders.

Beef packers put away the red ink last week as they turned modest profits on every animal processed. Feedyard margins, however, slipped a little further away from positive.

Cash cattle prices dipped nearly 50 cents per cwt.