Beef packer margins improved sharply to -$51/head last week, up $116 from the prior week as the Choice cutout strengthened while fed cattle prices declined. The cutout rebounded to $369/cwt while fed cattle prices fell to $229/cwt, producing a substantial recovery in packer margins. Profits remain negative, but losses are now at their smallest level since late July as boxed beef values show some late-summer strength amid reduced fed cattle slaughter. Feedlot placement margins weakened to -$357/head, down $47 from the prior week, as lower ...