USDA Cattle on Feed numbers show decline in placements, marketings
John Perkins | Feb. 20, 2026
Brownfield Ag News reported that the Feb. 1 cattle‑on‑feed inventory was 11.505 million head—about 2 % lower than a year earlier. Placements during January were 1.736 million head, 5 % below January 2025, with most of the decline in lighter and mid‑weight cattle. Marketings totaled 1.626 million head, down 13 % year‑over‑year amid continued weather‑related disruptions.
United States Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent
Cattle Range staff (using USDA data) | Jan. 23, 2026
The January 2026 cattle‑on‑feed update reported that cattle and calves on feed in 1,000‑head‑or‑larger feedlots totaled 11.5 million head on Jan. 1—about 3 % below Jan. 1, 2025. Steers and steer calves made up 7.02 million head (61 % of the total), while heifers accounted for 4.44 million head. December placements were 1.55 million head, down 5 % from a year earlier, and marketings were 1.77 million head, 2 % higher than December 2024.
YEAREND: Beef prices keep climbing, no signs of cattle herd rebuild in 2025
John Lovett (University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture) | Dec. 22, 2025
John Lovett reported that U.S. cattle inventories were at their lowest since the 1950s; the beef herd has shrunk by roughly 8 million head since its peak in 2019. Retail beef prices averaged $8.56 per lb through August 2025 and heifer retention remained above 42%, below the threshold needed for herd expansion. National cattle‑on‑feed numbers averaged 11.4 million head in 2025, about 1.4% less than in 2024.
Cattle placements drop in first post‑shutdown on feed update
John Perkins | Nov. 21, 2025
Brownfield Ag News observed that the USDA’s November cattle‑on‑feed numbers came in at the low end of expectations. Placements were the lowest for the month since the data series began, down 10% year over year, with most calves weighing under 800 lb. October marketings fell 8% and total cattle on feed Nov 1 were 2% lower than a year earlier.
Cattle markets react to proposed tariff changes; consumer beef prices expected to remain steady in the short term
Ryan McGeeney (University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture) | Oct. 29, 2025
University of Arkansas economist James Mitchell noted that proposals to quadruple the U.S. tariff‑rate quota on Argentine beef and ease restrictions on Mexican and Brazilian cattle prompted a sell‑off in futures, but would hardly dent overall beef supply. He emphasized that the U.S. beef herd is at its smallest since 1951, due in part to drought, and that supply‑and‑demand fundamentals remain supportive of high prices.
USDA: Cattle on Feed Down 1 % in September 2025
Marion Kirkpatrick & Tony St. James | Sept. 19, 2025
The September Cattle on Feed report showed feedlot inventories at 11.1 million head—1% below a year earlier. August placements were 1.78 million head (10% below 2024) and marketings were 1.57 million head, 14% lower than last year and the smallest August marketing level since the data series began in 1996. Analysts cited fewer Mexican imports and a historically small beef cow herd for the tight supplies .
Cattle on Feed on August 1, 2025
Commodity Analytics staf | Aug. 22, 2025
World Perspectives’ Commodity Analytics service reported that U.S. cattle on feed totaled 10.9 million head on Aug. 1, 2025—2% less than a year earlier. Placements during July were 1.60 million head and marketings 1.75 million head, each 6 % below 2024 levels.
July 2025 USDA cattle‑on‑feed highlights
Nevil Speer | July 28, 2025
The mid‑year USDA report showed July 1 cattle on feed at 11.124 million head, below pre‑report expectations. June placements were 1.441 million head (92.1% of 2024), with a 65,000‑head drop in Texas accounting for over half of the decline. Marketings were 1.707 million head (95.6% of 2024). Cattle on feed over 150 and 180 days were up sharply and heifers comprised 38.1% of the on‑feed inventory.
June 2025 USDA Cattle on Feed highlights
Nevil Speer | June 24, 2025
In June the USDA estimated cattle on feed at 11.44 million head, roughly even with last year. Placements during April were 1.87 million head—about 92.2% of 2024—and marketings were 1.76 million head, 89.9% of last year. Front‑end inventories remained historically high, with cattle on feed over 150 days reaching unprecedented levels.
May 2025 USDA Cattle on Feed highlights
Nevil Speer | May 23, 2025
The May cattle‑on‑feed report put the May 1 inventory at 11.38 million head—about even with last year. April placements were 1.61 million head (97.4% of 2024) and marketings 1.83 million head (97.5% of 2024). Front‑end inventories were heavy, with cattle on feed over 120 days and over 150 days hitting record levels for May.
Cattle, hog futures rise on seasonal demand – CME
Global Ag Media | April 17, 2025
Ahead of the summer grilling season, CME cattle futures climbed as a weaker dollar and seasonal demand boosted prices. June live cattle futures settled at 202.075 ¢/lb and May feeder cattle at 284.4 ¢/lb. Analysts expected the upcoming cattle‑on‑feed report to show feedlot inventories down roughly 1.8% from a year earlier, reinforcing expectations of tight supplies.
March 2025 USDA Cattle on Feed highlights
Nevil Speer | March 25, 2025
Beef Magazine’s Nevil Speer reported that the 1 March cattle‑on‑feed inventory stood at 11.6 million head, in line with pre‑report expectations. Placements during February were 1.554 million head—about 82% of the 2024 level and below analysts’ estimates—while marketings totaled 1.633 million head (91% of 2024). Inventories of cattle on feed over 120 days and over 150 days remained large.
Cattle futures climb on bullish beef prices, feedlot data – CME
Global Ag Media | Feb. 25, 2025
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures closed higher on 25 Feb 2025 as firm boxed‑beef prices and a friendlier‑than‑expected cattle‑on‑feed report supported buying. April live cattle futures rose to 195.100 ¢/lb and March feeder cattle to 272.300 ¢/lb. The USDA reported feedlot inventories down 1% year over year with placements up 2%.
Placements Lower Than Expected in January 2025 Cattle‑On‑Feed Report
Kenny Burdine | Jan. 29, 2025
USDA’s January cattle‑on‑feed report estimated total feedlot inventory at 11.8 million head—just under 1 % lower than January 2024. December placements were 1.64 million head, 3.3 % below December 2023, and heifers represented 38.7 % of cattle on feed . These figures hint that the long‑anticipated heifer retention needed for herd expansion had yet to begin.
CAB Insider Market Update for Nov. 20, 2024
Paul Dykstra (Certified Angus Beef) | Nov. 20, 2024
The CAB Insider report noted that gross cow‑calf returns remained strong, but cow‑herd rebuilding is slow because many producers sold valuable heifer calves rather than retain them, constrained by high interest rates and labor shortages. Record‑high calf prices encourage herd expansion yet caution persists after the 2015 crash. Year‑to‑date U.S. beef cow harvest was down 19 % vs 2023 and the usual late‑Oct–Nov spike in cow slaughter hadn’t occurred, implying more cows were being retained.
October 2024 Market Update – Beef Section
Y. Hata Category Specialists | Oct. 18, 2024
A market update from Hawaiian food distributor Y. Hata reported that cattle supplies were tightening as packers limited slaughter levels to combat negative margins. Despite historically high prices, consumer demand for beef remained strong. Record‑high carcass weights continued to offset reduced supply, and with cattle on feed longer, grading was predominantly Choice, Premium and Prime.
An Update on Herd Rebuilding
Derrell S. Peel (OSU Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist) | Sept. 30, 2024
Peel evaluated whether the beef herd is rebuilding. Through the first 37 weeks of 2024, beef cow slaughter was down 16.3 % year‑over‑year, but the decline isn’t large enough to signal herd expansion. A moving average of cow and heifer slaughter percentages indicates that neither has fallen to levels seen in past herd expansions. Heifer slaughter hasn’t decreased at all, meaning heifer retention remains limited.
U.S. Cattle on Feed Up Slightly Through July 2024
USDA/NASS via Drovers | Aug. 23, 2024
Drovers summarized the August 1 cattle‑on‑feed report: 11.1 million head on feed (slightly above a year earlier). July placements were 1.70 million head, 6 % higher than 2023, with detailed weight breakdowns for calves under 600 lb through 1,000 + lb. Fed cattle marketed in July totaled 1.86 million head (8 % above 2023), while other disappearance was 56,000 head, 14 % below the previous year.
Cattle and Beef Markets in the Summer Doldrums
Derrell S. Peel (OSU Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist) | July 15, 2024
OSU noted that after July 4, Choice boxed beef prices fell from $330/cwt to $322/cwt but stabilised. Beef demand slows between Independence Day and Labor Day; high‑end cuts weaken while ground beef prices are supported by record‑high lean trimmings. Fed cattle and feeder cattle prices stalled in July due to summer heat and heavy carcass weights, yet feeder prices remained near record levels and June rains kept pastures reasonable.
USDA Livestock & Poultry Outlook: June 2024
USDA Economic Research Service | June 20, 2024
ERS reported that slow slaughter early in 2024 led to the highest number of cattle on feed over 150 days since 2012, and some packers were foregoing discounts on heavyweight cattle, encouraging feedlots to keep cattle longer. Record‑high carcass weights (steers +37 lb; heifers +29 lb vs. 2023) allowed packers to offset fewer animals. Feeder steer prices at Oklahoma City averaged $253.90/cwt in May—over $48 higher than May 2023—and early‑June averages were similar.