U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Jan ’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 10.7 million head on January 1, 2015. The Jan ’15 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 0.9%, or 100,000 head from January 1st of last year. The YOY increase in monthly cattle on feed supply was the third in a row after 26 consecutive months of YOY declines were experienced from Sep ’12 to Oct ’14.
Placements in feedlots during Dec ’14 totaled 1.54 million head, down 8.0%, or 135,000 head from December of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.6% YOY while placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 14.0% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 11.8% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 8.4% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug – Dec ’14 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 5.4% YOY over the five month period.
Dec ’14 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 10.0% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however placements under 700 pounds have declined 5.6% over the past five months.
Dec ’14 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier also declined on a YOY basis, but at a slower rate than lower weight animals, finishing the month down 5.8%. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 10.2% from Mar ’14 – Aug ’14, but, despite the Dec ’14 decline, placements have remained up 0.4% YOY throughout the past four months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Dec ’14 totaled 1.66 million head, down 4.7%, or 81,000 head, from December of 2013. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 12 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.3% over the time period and 7.8% over the past three months. Other disappearance totaled 72,000 head during December, down 4.7% YOY.
Placements in feedlots during Dec ’14 totaled 1.54 million head, down 8.0%, or 135,000 head from December of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.6% YOY while placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 14.0% YOY, placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 11.8% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 8.4% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug – Dec ’14 indicate a continued trend towards heavier placements relative to last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more have increased by 5.4% YOY over the five month period.
Dec ’14 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 10.0% YOY. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.2% YOY, however placements under 700 pounds have declined 5.6% over the past five months.
Dec ’14 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier also declined on a YOY basis, but at a slower rate than lower weight animals, finishing the month down 5.8%. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 10.2% from Mar ’14 – Aug ’14, but, despite the Dec ’14 decline, placements have remained up 0.4% YOY throughout the past four months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Dec ’14 totaled 1.66 million head, down 4.7%, or 81,000 head, from December of 2013. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 12 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.3% over the time period and 7.8% over the past three months. Other disappearance totaled 72,000 head during December, down 4.7% YOY.