USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released today, along with the semi-annual cattle inventory report. The total number of cattle on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more amounted to 11.4 million head, or 102 percent of last year. All cattle and calves totaled 94.2 million head, slightly above the 94 million head reported on 1 July 2025.

Placements dropped in June, but marketings were relatively lower compared to historic averages. Marketings hit their lowest point since the report was started in 1996. The pre-report estimate was spot on, however, forecasting 97 percent of last year, but those estimates did not pick up the drop in placements, which were lower than forecast. The increase in the total on-feed in...