U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Aug ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Jul ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
Placements in feedlots during Jul ’18 totaled 1.74 million head, up 127,000 head, or 7.9%, from July of last year, reaching a six year seasonal high for the month of July. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jul ’18, finishing up 23.4%, followed by placements weighing 600 pounds or less (+13.9%) and placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+7.8%). Placements weighing 800 pounds or more declined 1.3% YOY throughout the month. Total placements in feedlots increased 8.8% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.7% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jul ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 105,000 head, or 17.6%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of July. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.1% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 6.2% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jul ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 22,000 head, or 2.2%, on a YOY basis, also finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of July. The YOY increase in cattle placements over 700 pounds was the first experienced throughout the past five months. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 8.0% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and have increased an additional 0.4% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jul ’18 totaled 1.87 million head, up 89,000 head, or 5.0%, from July of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 22nd experienced throughout the past 24 months. Overall, marketings of fed cattle reached a five year seasonal high for the month of July. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and have increased an additional 2.8% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during Jul ’18, up 15,000 head, or 31.3%, from the previous year.
- U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of Aug 1st finished higher on a YOY basis for the 20th consecutive month, finishing up 4.6% to a new record seasonal high for the month of August.
- Jul ’18 placements in feedlots increased 7.9% YOY, finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of July.
- Marketings of fed cattle increased on a YOY basis for the 22nd time in the past 24 months during Jul ’18, finishing up 5.0% to a five year seasonal high for the month of July.
Placements in feedlots during Jul ’18 totaled 1.74 million head, up 127,000 head, or 7.9%, from July of last year, reaching a six year seasonal high for the month of July. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jul ’18, finishing up 23.4%, followed by placements weighing 600 pounds or less (+13.9%) and placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+7.8%). Placements weighing 800 pounds or more declined 1.3% YOY throughout the month. Total placements in feedlots increased 8.8% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.7% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jul ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 105,000 head, or 17.6%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of July. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.1% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 6.2% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jul ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 22,000 head, or 2.2%, on a YOY basis, also finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of July. The YOY increase in cattle placements over 700 pounds was the first experienced throughout the past five months. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 8.0% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and have increased an additional 0.4% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jul ’18 totaled 1.87 million head, up 89,000 head, or 5.0%, from July of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 22nd experienced throughout the past 24 months. Overall, marketings of fed cattle reached a five year seasonal high for the month of July. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and have increased an additional 2.8% throughout the first ten months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during Jul ’18, up 15,000 head, or 31.3%, from the previous year.