The USDA released their November Cattle on Feed Report, which shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on November 1, 2023. That is 2 percent above November 1, 2022, and as Gary Crawford reports, indicates the beef cattle herd contraction is still going on.
The report shows placements in feedlots during October were 2.16 million head, 4 percent above 2022. Net placements were 2.11 million head. During October, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 470,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 465,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 394,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 205,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during October totaled 1.76 million head, 3 percent below 2022.