News

Cattle placements down 2%

The USDA says fewer cattle were placed on feed in September 2016 than in September 2015. A lower placement figure implies tighter market ready numbers, lower slaughter rates, and less beef produced in coming months.

At 1.905 million head, placements were down 2% and the lowest for the month since the series of reports started in 1996. Most of those were cattle weighing more than 700 pounds, which will hit the slaughter market sooner than lighter weight cattle. Net placements were 1.86 million head.

September marketings were up 5% at 1.732 million head and the total number of cattle on feed at the start of October was 1% higher at 10.135 million.