U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Feb ’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 February 1, 2015. The Feb ’15 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 0.3%, or 33,000 head from February 1st of last year. The YOY increase in monthly cattle on feed supply was the fourth in a row after 26 consecutive months of YOY declines were experienced from Sep ’12 to Oct ’14.
Placements in feedlots during Jan ’15 totaled 1.79 million head, down 11.3%, or 227,000 head from January of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.7% YOY while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 21.8% YOY, placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 14.7% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 13.8% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug ’14 – Jan ’15 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 six month period.
Jan ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 17.7% 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 6.8% over the past six months.
Jan ’15 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 6.0%. 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 have declined by only 0.8% over the past six months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jan ’15 totaled 1.63 million head, down 9.1%, or 163,000 head, from January of 2014. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 13 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.6% over the time period and 8.3% over the past three months. Other disappearance totaled 77,000 head during Jan ’15, up 8.5% YOY.
Placements in feedlots during Jan ’15 totaled 1.79 million head, down 11.3%, or 227,000 head from January of last year. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased 2.7% YOY while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds declined 21.8% YOY, placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined 14.7% YOY and placements for those under 600 pounds declined by 13.8% YOY.
After deferred placements of heavier animals in the summer months, weights in Aug ’14 – Jan ’15 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 six month period.
Jan ’15 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined 17.7% 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 6.8% over the past six months.
Jan ’15 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 6.0%. 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 have declined by only 0.8% over the past six months.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jan ’15 totaled 1.63 million head, down 9.1%, or 163,000 head, from January of 2014. Marketings of fed cattle have declined YOY for 13 consecutive months, with total marketings down 5.6% over the time period and 8.3% over the past three months. Other disappearance totaled 77,000 head during Jan ’15, up 8.5% YOY.