The U.S. Department of Agriculture released their October Cattle on Feed Report, and the new numbers indicate cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on October 1, 2024. The inventory was slightly below October 1, 2023.
According to a story from Gary Crawford, the new report confirms strong demand for cattle and beef.
The overall inventory included 7.00 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 60 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.60 million head, down 1 percent from 2023.
Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.16 million head, 2 percent below 2023. Net placements were 2.10 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 430,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 330,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 465,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 526,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 305,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 100,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during September totaled 1.70 million head, 2 percent above 2023.