U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Nov ’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 10.8 million head on November 1, 2015, reaching a three year high for the month of November. The Nov ’15 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 223,000 head, or 2.1%, from November 1st of last year.
The cattle on feed inventory included 6.93 million steers and steer calves, up 7.4% from 2014 levels, and 3.29 heifers and heifer calves, down 7.0% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Oct ’15 totaled 2.28 million head, down 87,000 head, or 3.7%, from October of last year and the second lowest on record for the month of October. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 5.5% YOY however placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 6.9% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 7.0% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined 7.2% YOY. Placements in feedlots declined 4.5% throughout the ’14-’15 production season.
After deferred placements of heavier animals last summer, weights from Aug ’14 – Oct ’15 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 7.2% YOY over the 15 month period.
Oct ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 90,000 head, or 7.1%, YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.7% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds finished down 11.1% YOY to the lowest annual figure on record. Oct ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds reached a three year low for the month of October.
Oct ’15 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished up 3,000 head, or 0.3%, 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 gained back a portion of the previous year declines throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing up 1.0% YOY. Oct ’15 cattle placements over 700 pounds reached a five year high for the month of October.
Marketings of fed cattle during Oct ’15 totaled 1.63 million head, down 55,000 head, or 3.3%, from October of last year and the lowest on record for the month of October. Marketings have declined YOY for 22 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.2% over the period. Other disappearance totaled 75,000 head during Oct ’15, down 22,000 head, or 22.7% YOY.