In the first seven months of 2017 (January through July), on a cash basis (without hedging), estimated cattle feeding profitability per steer was the highest ever. Even on an inflation-adjusted basis, monthly returns were among the best in the era of commercial cattle feeding in the High Plains. That provided a much-needed reprieve for cattle feeders after a having record-large financial losses in 2015 and continued gushing of red ink during most of 2016. But, that picture has now dramatically changed according to monthly calculations by the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC).

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