Official estimates of this afternoon’s monthly cattle on feed report show the number of cattle on feed the 1st of October very near the same as a year ago. But bottom-line livestock analysts point out feedlot inventory is very much front-loaded. The story all year has been slowing the pace of marketings and feed cattle longer.
In fact, the number of cattle on feed 150 days or longer is expected to be up over 25% today. As usual the placement figures will be watched very closely. Average estimates of cattle placed during the month down eight to nine percent, but some private estimates show a decline over eleven percent.
Regardless was very likely to be the lowest placement figure in the month of September in the history of the report. This is the bottom-line report. Columbus, New Mexico border terminal set to reopen on Monday.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.