U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Oct ’14
According to USDA, cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.1 million head on October 1, 2014. The Oct ’14 U.S. cattle on feed supply was down 0.5%, or 52,000 head from October 1st of last year. Monthly cattle on feed figures have declined YOY for 26 consecutive months, although the Oct ’14 monthly decline was significantly less than the 3.7% average YOY decline throughout the period.
Placements in feedlots during Sep ’14 totaled 2.01 million head, up 1.0%, or 19,000 head from September of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 8.0% YOY, while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased by 1.5%. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds and under 600 pounds declined by 8.0% and 1.1% YOY, respectively. ’13-’14 YTD total placements finished the production season even with last year.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug – Sep ’14 indicate a trend towards heavier placements relative to last year.
Sep ’14 cattle placements under 699 pounds were flat with last year after declining YOY in Aug ’14 for the first time in five months. Despite the recent lower placements, cattle placements under 699 pounds finished the ’13-’14 production season up 4.2% YOY.
Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3%, but increased YOY for the first time in seven months in Sep ’14, finishing the month up 1.6% YOY.
Marketings of fed cattle during Sep ’14 totaled 1.68 million head, down 0.5%, or 9,000 head, from September of 2013. ’13-’14 YTD total marketings of fed cattle finished the production season down 3.4% YOY. Other disappearance totaled 65,000 head during September, up 4.8% YOY.