U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Jul ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Jun ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
The cattle on feed inventory included 7.13 million steers and steer calves, up 2.4% from 2017 levels, and 4.15 million heifers and heifer calves, up 7.7% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Jun ’18 totaled 1.79 million head, up 23,000 head, or 1.3%, from June of last year, reaching a 12 year seasonal high for the month of June. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jun ’18, finishing up 9.5%, followed by placements weighing 600 pounds or less (+6.7%) and placements weighing 800 pounds or more (+2.0%). Placements weighing 700-799 pounds declined 10.5% 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 2.3% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jun ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 55,000 head, or 8.0%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of June. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.1% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 5.3% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jun ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier declined by 32,000 head, or 3.0%, on a YOY basis but remained at the second highest seasonal figure experienced throughout the past 17 years for the month of June. Cattle placements over 700 pounds have declined on a YOY basis over four consecutive months through Jun ’18. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 8.0% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and remain up an additional 0.2% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jun ’18 totaled 2.01 million head, up 17,000 head, or 0.9%, from June of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 21st experienced throughout the past 23 months. Overall, marketings of fed cattle reached a seven year seasonal high for the month of June. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.5% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 58,000 head during Jun ’18, up 2,000 head, or 3.6%, from the previous year.
- U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of Jul 1st finished higher on a YOY basis for the 19th consecutive month, finishing up 4.3% to a new record seasonal high for the month of July.
- Jun ’18 placements in feedlots increased 1.3% YOY, finishing at a 12 year seasonal high for the month of June.
- Marketings of fed cattle increased on a YOY basis for the 21st time in the past 23 months during Jun ’18, finishing up 0.9% to a seven year seasonal high for the month of June.
The cattle on feed inventory included 7.13 million steers and steer calves, up 2.4% from 2017 levels, and 4.15 million heifers and heifer calves, up 7.7% from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during Jun ’18 totaled 1.79 million head, up 23,000 head, or 1.3%, from June of last year, reaching a 12 year seasonal high for the month of June. Placements for those weighing 600-699 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jun ’18, finishing up 9.5%, followed by placements weighing 600 pounds or less (+6.7%) and placements weighing 800 pounds or more (+2.0%). Placements weighing 700-799 pounds declined 10.5% 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 2.3% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jun ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 55,000 head, or 8.0%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a six year seasonal high for the month of June. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.1% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 5.3% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jun ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier declined by 32,000 head, or 3.0%, on a YOY basis but remained at the second highest seasonal figure experienced throughout the past 17 years for the month of June. Cattle placements over 700 pounds have declined on a YOY basis over four consecutive months through Jun ’18. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 8.0% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and remain up an additional 0.2% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season, despite the recently experienced declines.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jun ’18 totaled 2.01 million head, up 17,000 head, or 0.9%, from June of last year. The YOY increase in marketings of fed cattle was the 21st experienced throughout the past 23 months. Overall, marketings of fed cattle reached a seven year seasonal high for the month of June. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 2.5% throughout the first three quarters of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 58,000 head during Jun ’18, up 2,000 head, or 3.6%, from the previous year.