U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Feb ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Jan ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
Placements in feedlots during Jan ’18 totaled 2.07 million head, up 87,000 head, or 4.4%, from January of last year and reaching a 12 year seasonal high for the month of January. Placements have finished higher on a YOY basis over 15 consecutive months through Jan ’18. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jan ’18, finishing up 8.2%, followed by placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+6.8%) and 600-699 pounds (+1.1%). The gains more than offset declines in placements for those weighing 600 pounds or less (-1.3%). 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 7.5% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jan ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds finished flat on a YOY basis throughout the month, remaining at a three year seasonal high for the month of January. Cattle placements under 700 pounds have finished higher on a YOY basis over 13 of the past 14 months prior to finishing flat during Jan ’18. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 8.8% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jan ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 87,000 head, or 7.5%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of January. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.9% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and are up an additional 6.3% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jan ’18 totaled 1.86 million head, up 107,000 head, or 6.1%, from January of last year, finishing at a five year seasonal high. Marketings of fed cattle have finished higher on a YOY basis over 17 of the past 18 months through Jan ’18. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 3.3% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during Jan ’18, up 16,000 head, or 30.2%, from the previous year.
- U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of Feb 1st finished higher on a YOY basis for the 14th consecutive month, finishing up 7.9% to a six year seasonal high.
- Jan ’18 placements in feedlots increased on a YOY basis for the 15th consecutive month, finishing up 4.4% to a 12 year seasonal high.. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jan ’18, finishing up 8.2%.
- Marketings of fed cattle finished higher on a YOY basis for the 17th time in the past 18 months during Jan ’18, increasing by 6.1% to a five year seasonal high.
Placements in feedlots during Jan ’18 totaled 2.07 million head, up 87,000 head, or 4.4%, from January of last year and reaching a 12 year seasonal high for the month of January. Placements have finished higher on a YOY basis over 15 consecutive months through Jan ’18. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Jan ’18, finishing up 8.2%, followed by placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+6.8%) and 600-699 pounds (+1.1%). The gains more than offset declines in placements for those weighing 600 pounds or less (-1.3%). 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 7.5% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jan ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds finished flat on a YOY basis throughout the month, remaining at a three year seasonal high for the month of January. Cattle placements under 700 pounds have finished higher on a YOY basis over 13 of the past 14 months prior to finishing flat during Jan ’18. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 8.8% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Jan ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 87,000 head, or 7.5%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of January. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased 7.9% YOY throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a record annual high, and are up an additional 6.3% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Jan ’18 totaled 1.86 million head, up 107,000 head, or 6.1%, from January of last year, finishing at a five year seasonal high. Marketings of fed cattle have finished higher on a YOY basis over 17 of the past 18 months through Jan ’18. Marketings of fed cattle increased 6.8% throughout the ’16-’17 production season, finishing at a six year high, and are up an additional 3.3% throughout the first third of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during Jan ’18, up 16,000 head, or 30.2%, from the previous year.