USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity amounted to 11.5 million head, just slightly below last year.
Marketings were 1.52 million head, at 93 percent of last year, in line with the pre-report expectations, and the second lowest on record since 1996. Marketings were down on fewer placements in previous months and less aggressive demand from packers. As a percentage of total inventory, February marketings were well below current-year levels, at 13.1 percent in 2026 compared to 14.1 percent in 2025. There were 20 slaughter days in February 2026 and 2025. Total daily marketings were 76,100 in February 2026 versus 81,650 in February 202...
Key Market Insights The broad market is locked in on this week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Beijing, but this is no longer just a trade summit. Increasingly, the meeting is becoming tied directly to Iran, energy security, and the growing global economic fallout from disruptions through the Strai...
