The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their February Cattle on Feed Report, and the updated numbers show cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on February 1, 2023. The inventory was 4 percent below February 1, 2022. And one expert says it will get even smaller as the year wears on. Gary Crawford has more details.
The re[ports also noted placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.93 million head, 4 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.87 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 420,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 540,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 402,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 100,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 65,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during January totaled 1.85 million head, 4 percent above 2022.