Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: October 2022
USDA Economic Research Service | Oct. 18, 2022
In October, ERS analysts reported that drought continued to influence cattle placement and culling. The Sept. 1 feedlot inventory was 11.279 million head (second‑largest on record). August feedlot net placements were 2.059 million head, slightly above last year; marketings were 2.004 million head, 6% higher. The 2022 U.S. beef production forecast was raised to 28.1 billion lb, and feeder‑cattle prices were lowered on expectations of larger placements.
Increased Beef Production Indicates Continued Cattle Industry Contraction
Danny Maves (AFBF Economist) | Sept. 30, 2022
The AFBF article highlighted that August 2022 beef production reached a record 2.51 billion lb (6% above August 2021). Cattle slaughter totaled 3.08 million head, up 7%, with cow and heifer slaughter accounting for almost 51% of cattle processed. Record beef in cold storage (515.67 million lb) and high exports reflect strong demand, but heavy female slaughter implies future calf crops will shrink.
Drought and Inputs Putting Strain on Cattle Producers
Bernt Nelson (AFBF Economist) | Aug. 2, 2022
Market Intel noted that drought conditions pushed more heifers into slaughter, shrinking the future calf crop. The July 1 cattle and calves inventory fell 2% year over year; cattle on feed totaled 11.3 million head, slightly above 2021. June marketings were 2.06 million head, up 2%. Increased heifer slaughter and rising feed costs point to tighter supplies and higher prices in 2023.
Cattle Report – July 2022
Isabella Rural Economic Research Dept. | July 28, 2022
The Iowa Farm Bureau reported that the July 1 U.S. cattle and calves inventory was 98.8 million head, down 2% from July 1 2021. Beef cow inventories fell 2.4% to 30.4 million head. The article explained that the cattle cycle is in a reduction phase due to dry pasture conditions; producers have retained fewer heifers for replacements, which will limit future calf crops.
Feedlot Inventories at Another Monthly Record High
Josh Maples (Mississippi State Univ.) | June 29, 2022
OSU Extension’s BEEF Cattle Letter noted that the June 1 cattle‑on‑feed report showed 11.85 million head, the highest June 1 figure since the series began. May placements were down 2.1% year over year, with lighter cattle (<700 lb) placements up 5 % and heavy placements down 5.5%. Marketings were about 2.5% above 2021. High inventories imply tighter replacement supplies later in the year.
Commercial red meat production down in April
Brownfield Ag News Staff | May 19, 2022
Brownfield reported that April 2022 U.S. commercial red‑meat production totaled 4.546 billion lb, 3% below April 2021. Beef production was 2.327 billion lb (down 1%), with slaughter down 1% and average live weight up seven pounds. Pork production declined 6%, and year‑to‑date red‑meat production lagged the previous year by 2%.
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: April 2022
USDA Economic Research Service | April 14, 2022
The ERS April report explained that drought and tight forage supplies forced producers to cull more cows. Non‑fed cattle slaughter volumes reached levels not seen since the mid‑1980s, raising the 2022 U.S. beef production forecast to 27.7 billion lb. Heifer retention was down, and forecasts for fed‑steer and feeder‑cattle prices were increased due to expected tighter supplies later in 2022.
DOE SETO Peer Review (2022): FarmAfield Projects Cited in Manufacturing & Competitiveness Session
U.S. Department of Energy (SETO Peer Review) | April 1, 2022
In DOE’s 2022 SETO peer review materials, FarmAfield is cited for projects integrating PV with livestock feeding structures and for floating solar aeration work aimed at improving water and fish quality.
February cattle on feed
Derrell Peel (Oklahoma State Univ. Extension) | March 2, 2022
Beef Magazine noted that the Feb. 1 cattle‑on‑feed inventory reached 12.2 million head, the highest on record. Placements of heavy cattle (≥700 lb) were down 3%, while placements of lighter cattle increased 2%, partly due to poor pasture conditions. January feedlot placements were 2 million head, 1% lower than a year earlier.
USDA Beef/Cattle Outlook: February 2022
USDA Economic Research Service / The Cattle Range | Feb. 15, 2022
The February USDA outlook reported the Jan. 1 cattle inventory at 91.902 million head, 2% lower than the previous year. Beef cows declined significantly, especially in drought‑affected states like South Dakota and Texas. Placements of lightweight cattle were up, but overall calf supplies are tightening. The report forecast 2022 beef production at 27.375 billion lb and expected higher prices for fed and feeder cattle.
United States cattle inventory down 2 percent
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service | Jan. 31, 2022
The USDA’s semi‑annual cattle report noted that as of Jan. 1 2022 there were 91.9 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms. Beef cows totaled 30.1 million head (down 2%) and milk cows 9.38 million (down 1%). The calf crop for 2021 was 35.1 million head, while all cattle on feed totaled 14.7 million head.
DOE Dual-Use Photovoltaic Technologies Overview Lists FarmAfield Floating Aeration SBIR Project
U.S. Department of Energy (EERE Solar) | Jan. 1, 2022
DOE’s dual-use PV overview page lists FarmAfield Labs’ floating aeration SBIR project under FY2021 Phase I topics, framing it within broader agrivoltaics and dual-use solar efforts.
Reviewing the 2021 Cattle Market
DTN Staff | Dec. 30, 2021
DTN’s year‑end review highlights key themes from 2021: widespread drought, high feed costs, labor shortages and strong consumer demand. The article concludes that smaller cow numbers and improving beef demand could support higher prices in 2022.
DOE SBIR Listing: Pole-Based Solar Mounting and Tracking System Integrated with Cattle Feeders
U.S. Department of Energy (SBIR/STTR) | Dec. 1, 2021
DOE SBIR listings describe a FarmAfield Labs solar PV mounting and tracking system designed to integrate with animal feeders, providing shade and consolidating infrastructure costs for producers.
Summary of November Cattle on Feed Report
Kenny Burdine (University of Kentucky) | Nov. 22, 2021
The Nov. 1 cattle‑on‑feed estimate was 11.9 million head—basically unchanged from the previous year. Feedlot inventories typically increase from fall into winter, and current numbers reflect that seasonal pattern.
Beef Production Revised Lower on Lighter Dressed Weights
Christopher G. Davis & Hannah Taylor (USDA ERS) | Oct. 22, 2021
The USDA’s October outlook trimmed 2021 beef‑production forecasts because average carcass weights and steer/heifer slaughter were lower than a year ago. August carcass weights were roughly 12 lb below 2020, with estimated cow, steer and heifer weights 6–13 lb lighter.
September Cattle on Feed Summary
Kenny Burdine (University of Kentucky) | Sept. 28, 2021
The Sept. 1 cattle‑on‑feed estimate was just over 11.2 million head, about 1.4 % below the 2020 level. Feedlot inventories have trailed year‑ago levels since July, while August placements were 2 % higher than in 2020.
USDA Announces Market News Reports to Enhance Price Transparency
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | Aug. 5, 2021
On Aug. 5 the USDA announced that it would begin publishing two new Market News reports on Aug. 9: the National Daily Direct Formula Base Cattle report and the National Weekly Cattle Net Price Distribution. These reports aim to improve price discovery by revealing formula‑base prices and net‑price distributions.
Avoid Misinterpreting Year‑to‑Year Cattle Inventory Changes
Lee Schulz (Iowa State University Extension) | Aug. 1, 2021
Comparing July 2021 cattle inventories with July 2020 can mislead because the pandemic backlog distorted 2020 numbers. Iowa fed‑cattle prices were 25 % higher than in July 2020, while feeder cattle prices rose 14 %.
Nebraska Combine Startup-In-Residence Highlight: FarmAfield’s Cattle-Investment Marketplace
Nebraska Combine (Invest Nebraska) | June 22, 2021
The Nebraska Combine incubator profiled FarmAfield as a platform enabling broader participation in agricultural investment by reducing friction between investors and producers.