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A decline of $5 per cwt in cash fed cattle prices pushed cattle feeding margins $60 per head lower, leaving losses at $120 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Cattle prices have fallen and so are profits.

Feedyard margins improved last week despite a $3 per cwt. decline in cash cattle prices.

Cattle feeders turned a tidy profit for the second consecutive week.

Last week’s $3 per cwt rally in cash fed cattle prices pulled feeding margins out of the red and cut beef packer profit margins by 20%.

Feedyard profit margins rebounded slightly after last week’s $2 rally in the cash fed cattle market.

Leverage shifting from feedyards to packers as summer begins.

The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker reports average cattle feeding closeouts were in the black last week, but with little room to spare.

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

As expected, beef packer margins jumped wildly higher the week ending Aug. 17, while cattle feeding margins slipped into the red.