USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. The total cattle on feed inventory was 11.7 million head, at 99 percent of last year. Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.82 million head, 2 percent above 2024. Net placements were 1.76 million head. Marketings totaled 1.87 million head, 1 percent above 2024.
January marketings as a percent of inventory were 15.4 percent, compared to 14.6 percent in January 2024. On a daily basis marketings were 82,818, last month versus 83,733 in January 2024. January 2025 and January 2024 both had 23 slaughter days.
Marketings of fed cattle from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2024 represented 87.2 percent of total cattle marketed from all feedlots in the Unit...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...