USDA released their September Cattle on Feed Report, and it shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head was 11.3 million head on September 1, 2022. That is slightly above September 1, 2021, and the second highest September 1st inventory since the series began in 1996.
According to a story from Gary Crawford, beef industry analysts may be surprised at what they see in USDA’s latest report on cattle feedlot activity.
In the report, it was noted placements in feedlots during August totaled 2.11 million head, slightly above 2021. Net placements were 2.06 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 430,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 320,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 465,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 532,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 270,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during August totaled 2.00 million head, 6 percent above 2021.