U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – May ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Apr ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
Placements in feedlots during Apr ’18 totaled 1.70 million head, down 153,000 head, or 8.3%, from April of last year. Placements in feedlots had finished higher on a YOY basis over 16 consecutive months through Feb ’18, prior to declining on a YOY basis over the past two months. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined the most on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’18, finishing down 15.3%, followed by placements weighing 600-699 pounds (-9.8%), placements weighing 600 pounds or less (-8.0%) and placements weighing 800 pounds or more (-3.3%). Total placements in feedlots increased 8.8% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and remain up an additional 2.7% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Apr ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 53,000 head, or 8.8%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a 16 year seasonal low for the month of April. The YOY decline in cattle placements under 700 pounds was just the third experienced throughout the past 18 months. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and remain up an additional 4.4% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Apr ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier declined by 100,000 head, or 8.0%, on a YOY basis but remained at the second highest seasonal figure experienced throughout the past 15 years for the month of April. The YOY decline in cattle placements over 700 pounds was just the second experienced throughout the past 18 months. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.9% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and remain up an additional 1.5% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Marketings of fed cattle during Apr ’18 totaled 1.80 million head, up 100,000 head, or 5.9%, from April of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 19th experienced throughout the past 21 months. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.4% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during Apr ’18, down 3,000 head, or 4.5%, from the previous year.
- U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of May 1st finished higher on a YOY basis for the 17th consecutive month, finishing up 5.1% to a 12 year seasonal high.
- Apr ’18 placements in feedlots declined on a YOY basis for the second consecutive month, finishing down 8.3%.
- Marketings of fed cattle increased on a YOY basis for the 19th time in the past 21 months during Apr ’18, finishing up 5.9%.
Placements in feedlots during Apr ’18 totaled 1.70 million head, down 153,000 head, or 8.3%, from April of last year. Placements in feedlots had finished higher on a YOY basis over 16 consecutive months through Feb ’18, prior to declining on a YOY basis over the past two months. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds declined the most on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’18, finishing down 15.3%, followed by placements weighing 600-699 pounds (-9.8%), placements weighing 600 pounds or less (-8.0%) and placements weighing 800 pounds or more (-3.3%). Total placements in feedlots increased 8.8% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and remain up an additional 2.7% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Apr ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds declined by 53,000 head, or 8.8%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a 16 year seasonal low for the month of April. The YOY decline in cattle placements under 700 pounds was just the third experienced throughout the past 18 months. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and remain up an additional 4.4% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Apr ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier declined by 100,000 head, or 8.0%, on a YOY basis but remained at the second highest seasonal figure experienced throughout the past 15 years for the month of April. The YOY decline in cattle placements over 700 pounds was just the second experienced throughout the past 18 months. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.9% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and remain up an additional 1.5% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Marketings of fed cattle during Apr ’18 totaled 1.80 million head, up 100,000 head, or 5.9%, from April of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 19th experienced throughout the past 21 months. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.4% throughout the first seven months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during Apr ’18, down 3,000 head, or 4.5%, from the previous year.