Beef packer margins improved to -$130/head last week, up $44 from the prior week as sharply lower fed cattle prices more than offset continued seasonal weakness in the Choice cutout. The cutout declined to $373/cwt while fed cattle prices fell to $238/cwt, allowing packer spreads to recover for a second consecutive week. Despite the improvement, margins remain below historical norms as wholesale beef values continue to soften into mid-summer. Feedlot placement margins deteriorated ...