Beef packer margins deteriorated to -$218/head last week, down $20 from the prior week as a softer Choice cutout combined with slightly lower fed cattle prices. The cutout slipped to $391/cwt while fed cattle prices eased to $256/cwt, leaving packer profits under pressure. Margins remain deeply negative as historically strong cattle prices continue to absorb any fledgling seasonal support from beef demand. Feedlot placement margins improved to -$253/head ...