Skip to content
800-884-8290

|

Client Login

|

Open an Account
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Futures & Options Brokerage
    • Organic Grain Swaps
    • Margin Management
    • Commodity Marketing Education
    • Consulting & Insurance
  • Research
    • Dairy
    • Livestock
    • Grain & Oilseeds
    • Ethanol & Biodiesel
  • Account
  • Quotes
  • Contact Us

U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Apr ’20

  • April 24, 2020
  • by Belinda Przybylski
Executive Summary U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Mar ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
  • U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of Apr 1st declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past six months, finishing down 5.5% and reaching a three year low seasonal level.
  • Placements in feedlots declined 22.7% YOY during Mar ’20, finishing lower on a YOY basis for the third consecutive month and reaching a 25 year low seasonal level.
  • Marketings of fed cattle increased 13.1% on a YOY basis during Mar ’20, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the fourth consecutive month and reaching a 20 year high seasonal level.
Additional Report Details According to the USDA, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of a thousand head or more declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past six months as of Apr 1st, finishing down 5.5% and reaching a three year low seasonal level. The Apr 1st YOY decline in the cattle on feed supply was largely consistent with analyst expectations of a 5.0% decline. The Apr ’20 cattle on feed inventory included 7.08 million steers and steer calves, down 4.9% from 2019 levels, and 4.22 million heifers and heifer calves, down 6.5% from the previous year. Placements in feedlots declined on a YOY basis for the third consecutive month, finishing down 22.7% and reaching a 25 year low seasonal level. The YOY decline in placements was largely consistent with average analyst expectations of a 21.0% decline. YOY declines in placements were widespread across weight groups and led by those weighing 700-799 pound (-31.1%), followed by placements weighing 600-699 pounds (-26.7%), placements weighing 800 pounds or more (-22.3%) and placements weighing 600 pounds or less increased (-4.6%). Total placements in feedlots declined 1.6% on a YOY basis throughout the ’18-’19 production season, however annual placement rates remained 2.8% above three year average figures. ’19-’20 YTD marketings have declined by an additional 2.5% on a YOY basis throughout the first half of the production season. Cattle placements weighing under 700 pounds declined 15.2% on a YOY basis during Mar ’20, finishing lower for the second consecutive month. The YOY decline in cattle placements weighing under 700 pounds was the largest experienced throughout the past five years on a percentage basis. Cattle placements weighing under 700 pounds finished 3.9% lower on a YOY basis throughout the ’18-’19 production season while ’19-’20 YTD placements have declined by an additional 1.2% on a YOY basis throughout the first half of the production season. Cattle placements weighing 700 pounds or more declined 26.1% on a YOY basis during Mar ’20, finishing lower for the third consecutive month. The YOY decline in cattle placements weighing 700 pounds or more was the largest on record. Cattle placements weighing 700 pounds or more increased 0.1% on a YOY basis throughout the ’18-’19 production season however ’19-’20 YTD placements have declined by 3.6% on a YOY basis throughout the first half of the production season. Marketings of fed cattle increased 13.1% on a YOY basis during Mar ’20, finishing higher for the fourth consecutive month and reaching a 20 year seasonal high level. The YOY increase in marketings was largely consistent with average analyst expectations of an 11.8% increase. ’18-’19 annual marketings of fed cattle increased 1.3% YOY, reaching an 11 year high, while ’19-’20 YTD marketings have increased an additional 2.8% on a YOY basis throughout the first half of the production season.  
U.S. Cattle & Hogs Production Update – Apr ’20
Crop Progress Update – 4/27/20
Dairy
Ethanol
Livestock
Grain

Recent Livestock Research

  • Atten Babler Meat FX Indices – Mar ’21
  • U.S. Cattle & Hogs Production Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Livestock Cold Storage Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Livestock & Meat Trade Update – Feb ’21
Atten Babler Commodities LLC
11406 US Route 20 W
Galena, IL 61036
800-884-8290
Privacy Policy
Futures, options and swaps brokerage is provided through Atten Babler Commodities LLC. The risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options and swaps is substantial. Swaps trading should only be undertaken by investors who are Eligible Contract Participants (ECPs) within the meaning of Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act. Before trading, you should carefully consider your financial position to determine if futures, options or swaps trading is appropriate. When trading futures, options or swaps, it is possible to lose more than the full value of your account. All funds committed should be risk capital. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Atten Babler Commodities LLC use sources that they believe to be reliable, but they cannot warrant the accuracy of any of the data included in this site. Opinions and market data are subject to change at any time. Unless otherwise stated the information contained herein is meant for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy futures or options or swaps.
© Copyright 2021 Atten Babler Commodities LLC