U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Dec ’14
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 10.9 million head on December 1, 2014. The Dec ’14 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 1.4%, or 152,000 head from December 1st of last year. The YOY increase in monthly cattle on feed supply was the second in a row after 26 consecutive months of YOY declines were experienced from Sep ’12 to Oct ’14.
Placements in feedlots during Nov ’14 totaled 1.79 million head, down 4.0%, or 75,000 head from November of last year. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds and 800 pounds or more increased 2.8% and 3.5% YOY, respectively, while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds and under 600 pounds declined by 13.7% and 5.2% YOY, respectively. Placements were the second lowest figure recorded for the month of November since the series began in 1996.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug – Nov ’14 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year.
Nov ’14 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 9.2% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however placements under 700 pounds have declined 4.6% over the past four months.
Nov ’14 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 3.2% YOY. 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 increased 2.0% throughout the past three months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Nov ’14 totaled 1.48 million head, down 11.1%, or 185,000 head, from November of 2013. Total marketings of fed cattle have declined 7.7% throughout the past five months, with Nov ’14 marketings being the lowest November figure since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 head during November, up 8.8% YOY.
Placements in feedlots during Nov ’14 totaled 1.79 million head, down 4.0%, or 75,000 head from November of last year. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds and 800 pounds or more increased 2.8% and 3.5% YOY, respectively, while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds and under 600 pounds declined by 13.7% and 5.2% YOY, respectively. Placements were the second lowest figure recorded for the month of November since the series began in 1996.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug – Nov ’14 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year.
Nov ’14 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 9.2% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however placements under 700 pounds have declined 4.6% over the past four months.
Nov ’14 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 3.2% YOY. 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 increased 2.0% throughout the past three months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Nov ’14 totaled 1.48 million head, down 11.1%, or 185,000 head, from November of 2013. Total marketings of fed cattle have declined 7.7% throughout the past five months, with Nov ’14 marketings being the lowest November figure since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 head during November, up 8.8% YOY.