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Cash cattle prices held steady during the week ended August 2, but cattle feeding margins improved $12 per head.

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.

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

Cowboys and packers finished 2016 on a high note, maintaining per head profits north of $100 for the week ended Dec. 30.

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.

Feedyard margins declined $28 per head last week to total an average loss of $70 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.