The latest report on cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States reveals that as of February 1, 2024, the total inventory stood at 11.8 million head, a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023. The data is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.
During January, placements in feedlots totaled 1.79 million head, marking a 7 percent decrease from the previous year. Net placements were reported at 1.71 million head. The breakdown of placements by weight categories includes 370,000 head for cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds, 395,000 head for 600-699 pounds, 475,000 head for 700-799 pounds, 377,000 head for 800-899 pounds, 105,000 head for 900-999 pounds, and 70,000 head for 1,000 pounds and greater.
Marketings of fed cattle during January reached 1.84 million head, slightly lower compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, other disappearance totaled 81,000 head in January, marking a 29 percent increase from 2023.
On January 1, 2024, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 82.7 percent of all cattle and calves on feed, a figure similar to the previous year’s 82.6 percent.
Marketings of fed cattle from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 87.3 percent of total cattle marketed from all feedlots in the United States during 2023, showing a slight increase from 87.2 percent in 2022.
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