U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Feb ’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 10.78 million head on Feb 1st, finishing 0.7% above the previous year. The Feb ’17 U.S. cattle on feed supply was up 73,000 head from Feb 1st of last year.
Placements in feedlots during Jan ’17 totaled 1.98 million head, up 202,000 head, or 11.4%, from January of last year. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis during Jan ’17, finishing up 21.9%, while placements weighing 700-799 pounds increased 18.4% YOY throughout the month. Placements weighing less than 600 pounds increased 11.8% YOY however placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more finished 1.6% lower on a YOY basis throughout the month. 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 8.2% YOY throughout the first third 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 3.7% on a YOY basis over the past five months.
Jan ’17 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 120,000 head, or 17.0%, YOY, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the third 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 9.8% throughout the first third of the ’16-’17 production season.
Jan ’17 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 82,000 head, or 7.6%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a 15 year seasonal high for the month of January. 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 7.0% throughout the first third of the ’16-’17 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jan ’17 totaled 1.75 million head, up 162,000 head, or 10.2%, from January of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over 11 of the past 12 months through January and are up 9.3% YOY throughout the first third of the ’16-’17 production season. Other disappearance totaled 53,000 head during Jan ’17, down 3,000 head, or 5.4% on a YOY basis.