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September cattle placements fall 3%

The USDA says placements of cattle into feedlots during September 2021 were below expectations.

Placements of 2.163 million head were 3% lower than last year’s pandemic skewed number as producers held back cattle earlier in that year due to uncertainties about beef demand. Ahead of the report, most analysts were calling for a modest year to year increase.

Most of the cattle placed were between 700 and 900 pounds, headed to market starting early next year, but there were also a significant amount of cattle weighing less than 600 pounds. By weight, placements of cattle weighing less than 600 pounds were 435,000 head, 600 to 699 pound placements were 360,000 head, and 700 to 799 pound placements were 495,000 head, while 800 to 899 pound placements were 498,000 head, 900 to 999 pound placements were 275,000 head, and placements of cattle weighing 1,000 pounds and heavier were 100,000 head.

Marketings during September were 1.789 million head, down 3%, and the total number of cattle on feed on October 1st was 11.550 million head, 1% lower than last year’s record.

The report could be viewed as long-term supportive for prices because of those lower placements, but sustained demand will be a factor.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Iowa: On Feed: 600,000 head, down 2% from October 1st, 2020; Placements: 80,000 head, 11% higher than September 2020; Marketings: 67,000 head, 3% less than last year

Kansas: On Feed: 2.53 million head, down slightly from October 1st, 2020; Placements: 505,000 head, up 3% from September 2020; Marketings: 435,000 head, 6% more than last year

Minnesota: On Feed: 90,000 head, down 14% from October 1st, 2020; Placements: 19,000 head, steady with September 2020; Marketings: 18,000 head, 22% less than last year

Nebraska: On Feed: 2.38 million head, down 1% from October 1st, 2020; Placements: 545,000 head, 9% lower than September 2020; Marketings: 435,000 head, 5% less than last year

South Dakota: On Feed: 200,000 head, up 5% from October 1st, 2020; Placements: 44,000 head, 2% lower than September 2020; Marketings: 43,000 head, 2% less than last year

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