U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Oct ’16
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 10.27 million head on Oct 1st, finishing 0.4% above the previous year. The Oct ’16 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 38,000 head from Oct 1st of last year.
The cattle on feed inventory included 6.83 million steers and steer calves, down 1.6% from 2015 levels, and 3.44 million heifers and heifer calves, up 4.4% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Sep ’16 totaled 1.91 million head, down 36,000 head, or 1.9%, from September of last year. The YOY decline in placements was the first experienced in the past eight months. Placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds declined the most on a YOY basis, finishing down 14.8%. Placements weighing less than 600 pounds have declined on a YOY basis over five consecutive months through September. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more declined on a YOY basis for the first time in 26 months during Sep ’16, finishing down 3.0%, while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased 3.4% and placements for those 700-799 pounds increased 9.4%. Placements in feedlots declined 4.4% throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but rebounded by 2.2% throughout the’15-’16 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 have increased by 8.2% YOY over the most recent 24 months, despite declining during Sep ’16.
Sep ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 50,000 head, or 7.2%, YOY, finishing lower on a YOY basis for the sixth time in the past seven months. 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. Placements under 700 pounds declined an additional 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season.
Sep ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 14,000 head, or 1.1%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a five year high for the month of September. 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. Placements 700 pounds or heavier increased an additional 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high.
Marketings of fed cattle during Sep ’16 totaled 1.73 million head, up 90,000 head, or 5.5%, from September of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over seven of the past eight months through September. Other disappearance totaled 42,000 head during Sep ’16, down 15,000 head, or 26.3% on a YOY basis.
The cattle on feed inventory included 6.83 million steers and steer calves, down 1.6% from 2015 levels, and 3.44 million heifers and heifer calves, up 4.4% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Sep ’16 totaled 1.91 million head, down 36,000 head, or 1.9%, from September of last year. The YOY decline in placements was the first experienced in the past eight months. Placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds declined the most on a YOY basis, finishing down 14.8%. Placements weighing less than 600 pounds have declined on a YOY basis over five consecutive months through September. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more declined on a YOY basis for the first time in 26 months during Sep ’16, finishing down 3.0%, while placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased 3.4% and placements for those 700-799 pounds increased 9.4%. Placements in feedlots declined 4.4% throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but rebounded by 2.2% throughout the’15-’16 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 have increased by 8.2% YOY over the most recent 24 months, despite declining during Sep ’16.
Sep ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 50,000 head, or 7.2%, YOY, finishing lower on a YOY basis for the sixth time in the past seven months. 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. Placements under 700 pounds declined an additional 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season.
Sep ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 14,000 head, or 1.1%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a five year high for the month of September. 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. Placements 700 pounds or heavier increased an additional 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high.
Marketings of fed cattle during Sep ’16 totaled 1.73 million head, up 90,000 head, or 5.5%, from September of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over seven of the past eight months through September. Other disappearance totaled 42,000 head during Sep ’16, down 15,000 head, or 26.3% on a YOY basis.