News

Cattle placements up 1%

 

USDA’s cattle on feed numbers came out close to pre-report expectations and, as expected, showed an increase in placements.

During September, placements of cattle in to the feedlots were 2.071 million head, up 1% on the year, thanks to the record cash prices and lower feed costs. Most of the placements were on heavier weight cattle and the total marks the second lowest for the month of September since the series of reports started. Placements of cattle weighing less than 600 pounds were 460,000 head and 600 to 699 pound placements were 340,000 tons, while placements of cattle weighing 700 to 799 pounds were 437,000 head and placements of cattle weighing more than 800 pounds were 770,000 head.

Marketings were down 1% from a year ago at 1.683 million head, with market ready numbers remaining relatively tight.

The total number of cattle on feed in the U.S. as of October 1 was 10.058 million head, 1% less than last year. That includes 6.46 million steer and heifer calves, up 1% and 64% of total inventory, while heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.55 million head, down 3%.

Other disappearances were 65,000 head, 5% more than a year ago.