U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Jan ’17
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 10.61 million head on Jan 1st, finishing 0.3% above the previous year. The Jan ’17 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 30,000 head from Jan 1st of last year.
The cattle on feed inventory included 7.02 million steers and steer calves, down 2.0% from 2016 levels, and 3.58 million heifers and heifer calves, up 5.0% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Dec ’16 totaled 1.80 million head, up 268,000 head, or 17.6%, from December of last year. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis during Dec ’16, finishing up 26.8%, while placements weighing 700-799 pounds increased 26.1% YOY throughout the month. Placements weighing less than 600 pounds increased 16.0% YOY while placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more finished 4.5% above previous year levels throughout the month. The YOY increase in placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds was the first experienced throughout the past eight months. Total placements in feedlots increased 2.1% throughout the ’15-’16 production season from the record lows experienced throughout the previous year and are up an additional 7.4% YOY throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
After deferred placements of heavier animals during the summer of 2014, a trend towards heavier placements was experienced throughout the past two years. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased by 8.8% YOY over the 24 month period ending Aug ’16, but have declined by a total of 4.3% on a YOY basis over the past four months.
Dec ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 155,000 head, or 21.2%, YOY, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the second consecutive month. Cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but have rebounded by 7.9% throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
Dec ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 113,000 head, or 14.2%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of December. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high, and are up an additional 6.7% throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Dec ’16 totaled 1.79 million head, up 113,000 head, or 6.8%, from December of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over ten of the past 11 months through December and are up 9.2% YOY throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season. Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head during Dec ’16, down 23,000 head, or 29.5% on a YOY basis.
The cattle on feed inventory included 7.02 million steers and steer calves, down 2.0% from 2016 levels, and 3.58 million heifers and heifer calves, up 5.0% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Dec ’16 totaled 1.80 million head, up 268,000 head, or 17.6%, from December of last year. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis during Dec ’16, finishing up 26.8%, while placements weighing 700-799 pounds increased 26.1% YOY throughout the month. Placements weighing less than 600 pounds increased 16.0% YOY while placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more finished 4.5% above previous year levels throughout the month. The YOY increase in placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds was the first experienced throughout the past eight months. Total placements in feedlots increased 2.1% throughout the ’15-’16 production season from the record lows experienced throughout the previous year and are up an additional 7.4% YOY throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
After deferred placements of heavier animals during the summer of 2014, a trend towards heavier placements was experienced throughout the past two years. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased by 8.8% YOY over the 24 month period ending Aug ’16, but have declined by a total of 4.3% on a YOY basis over the past four months.
Dec ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 155,000 head, or 21.2%, YOY, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the second consecutive month. Cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but have rebounded by 7.9% throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
Dec ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 113,000 head, or 14.2%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of December. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high, and are up an additional 6.7% throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Dec ’16 totaled 1.79 million head, up 113,000 head, or 6.8%, from December of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over ten of the past 11 months through December and are up 9.2% YOY throughout the first quarter of the ’16-’17 production season. Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head during Dec ’16, down 23,000 head, or 29.5% on a YOY basis.