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Both cattle and hog finishing margins improved modestly last week, with cattle slightly above and hogs slightly below breakeven.

A seven-week rally in negotiated cash fed cattle prices has finally lifted average cattle feeding margins to profitability. Pork producer margins remain underwater.

Cattle feeding losses were estimated at $194 per head the week ending July 11, a $60 per head improvement over the previous week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Sharply higher beef cutout values produced windfall profits for beef packers last week while cattle feeders saw closeouts with average losses about steady, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Beef packer margins increased another $45 per head for the week ending March 27 while a rally in cash prices pulled feedyard closeouts into the black.

Both cattle feeding and hog finishing enterprises saw modest profits last week as prices for both continue increasing.

Both cattle and hog finishing operations found profits on closeouts last week with higher prices paid from meat packers.

Average cattle and hog finishing margins are both positive for the third consecutive week, according to calculations in the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker.

Cattle and hog finishing margins remain positive for the sixth consecutive week, but cash prices for both declined modesty last week and margins eroded.

Cattle and hog finishing margins are both positive for the fourth consecutive week despite the fact cash prices for cattle and hogs were slightly lower last week.