Feeder cattle sales were up over a year ago in February, but much of that was due to February 2025 sales being light. Still, the increase in activity bears watching, both for what it implies about feedlot placements and for herd rebuilding.  In the four weeks ending February 27, total feeder cattle sales were 193,800 head, up 21.5 percent from a year ago. Auction sales in February were up 15 percent from the year before, direct sales jumped 51 percent, and video and internet sales were 46.5 percent higher. Sales of feeder cattle weighing more than 600 pounds, which is the category that leads to more placements, were up almost 27 percent from last year.  Placements into feedlots won’t necessarily be up by 20 percent, but they...

TAGS – Livestock, North America