U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Mar ’15
According to USDA, cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on March 1, 2015. The Mar ’15 U.S. cattle on feed supply was down 0.5%, or 58,000 head from March 1st of last year. The YOY decrease in monthly cattle on feed supply was the first in the past five months.
Placements in feedlots during Feb ’15 totaled 1.52 million head, down 8.1%, or 135,000 head from February of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.9% YOY while placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 7.2% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 18.2% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 15.4% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug ’14 – Feb ’15 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 5.0% YOY over the seven month period.
Feb ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 16.7% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds have declined 9.8% YTD through the first five months of the production season.
Feb ’15 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier also declined on a YOY basis, but at a slower rate than lower weight animals, finishing the month down 1.6%. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 10.2% from Mar ’14 – Aug ’14, but have declined by only 1.0% over the past seven months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Feb ’15 totaled 1.52 million head, down 2.1%, or 33,000 head, from February of 2014. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 14 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.6% over the period. Other disappearance totaled 62,000 head during Feb ’15, down 12.7% YOY.
Placements in feedlots during Feb ’15 totaled 1.52 million head, down 8.1%, or 135,000 head from February of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.9% YOY while placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 7.2% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 18.2% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 15.4% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug ’14 – Feb ’15 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 5.0% YOY over the seven month period.
Feb ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 16.7% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds have declined 9.8% YTD through the first five months of the production season.
Feb ’15 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier also declined on a YOY basis, but at a slower rate than lower weight animals, finishing the month down 1.6%. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 10.2% from Mar ’14 – Aug ’14, but have declined by only 1.0% over the past seven months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Feb ’15 totaled 1.52 million head, down 2.1%, or 33,000 head, from February of 2014. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 14 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.6% over the period. Other disappearance totaled 62,000 head during Feb ’15, down 12.7% YOY.