U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Aug ’15
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 10.0 million head on August 1, 2015. The Aug ’15 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 250,000 head, or 2.6%, from August 1st of last year.
Placements in feedlots during Jul ’15 totaled 1.55 million head, down 12,000 head, or 0.8%, from July of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 19.2% YOY however placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 7.6% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 9.6% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined 14.1% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals last summer, weights from Aug ’14 – Jul ’15 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 7.6% YOY over the 12 month period.
Jul ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 85,000 head, or 12.4%, YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds have declined 10.6% YTD through the first ten months of the production season.
Jul ’15 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished up 73,000 head, or 8.4%, YOY. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 9.0% over the second half of the production season, but are up 0.9% YTD through the first ten months of the ’14-’15 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jul ’15 totaled 1.73 million head, down 62,000 head, or 3.5%, from July of last year. Jul ’15 marketings of fed cattle were the lowest on record for the month of July. Marketings have declined YOY for 19 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.4% over the period. Other disappearance totaled 56,000 head during Jul ’15, down 7,000 head, or 11.1% YOY.
Placements in feedlots during Jul ’15 totaled 1.55 million head, down 12,000 head, or 0.8%, from July of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 19.2% YOY however placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 7.6% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 9.6% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined 14.1% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals last summer, weights from Aug ’14 – Jul ’15 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 7.6% YOY over the 12 month period.
Jul ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 85,000 head, or 12.4%, YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds have declined 10.6% YTD through the first ten months of the production season.
Jul ’15 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished up 73,000 head, or 8.4%, YOY. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 9.0% over the second half of the production season, but are up 0.9% YTD through the first ten months of the ’14-’15 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jul ’15 totaled 1.73 million head, down 62,000 head, or 3.5%, from July of last year. Jul ’15 marketings of fed cattle were the lowest on record for the month of July. Marketings have declined YOY for 19 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.4% over the period. Other disappearance totaled 56,000 head during Jul ’15, down 7,000 head, or 11.1% YOY.