U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Mar ’18
Executive Summary
U.S. cattle on feed figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through the end of Feb ’18. Highlights from the updated report include:
Placements in feedlots during Feb ’18 totaled 1.82 million head, up 123,000 head, or 7.3%, from February of last year and reaching a 16 year seasonal high for the month of February. Placements have finished higher on a YOY basis over 16 consecutive months through Feb ’18. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Feb ’18, finishing up 10.9%, followed by placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+9.6%), placements weighing less than 600 pounds (+3.2%) and placements weighing 600-699 pounds (+1.5%). 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 7.4% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Feb ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 15,000 head, or 2.3%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a four year seasonal high for the month of February. Cattle placements under 700 pounds have finished higher on a YOY basis over 14 of the past 16 months through Feb ’18. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 7.8% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Feb ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 108,000 head, or 10.3%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of February. 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 7.2% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Feb ’18 totaled 1.68 million head, up 27,000 head, or 1.6%, from February of last year, finishing at a seven year seasonal high. Marketings of fed cattle have finished higher on a YOY basis over 18 of the past 19 months through Feb ’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 3.0% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 57,000 head during Feb ’18, up 1,000 head, or 1.8%, from the previous year.
- U.S. cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market as of Mar 1st finished higher on a YOY basis for the 15th consecutive month, finishing up 8.8% to a ten year seasonal high.
- Feb ’18 placements in feedlots increased on a YOY basis for the 16th consecutive month, finishing up 7.3% to a 16 year seasonal high. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Feb ’18, finishing up 10.9%.
- Marketings of fed cattle finished higher on a YOY basis for the 18th time in the past 19 months during Feb ’18, increasing by 1.6% to a seven year seasonal high.
Placements in feedlots during Feb ’18 totaled 1.82 million head, up 123,000 head, or 7.3%, from February of last year and reaching a 16 year seasonal high for the month of February. Placements have finished higher on a YOY basis over 16 consecutive months through Feb ’18. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased the most on a YOY basis throughout Feb ’18, finishing up 10.9%, followed by placements weighing 700-799 pounds (+9.6%), placements weighing less than 600 pounds (+3.2%) and placements weighing 600-699 pounds (+1.5%). 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 7.4% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Feb ’18 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 15,000 head, or 2.3%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a four year seasonal high for the month of February. Cattle placements under 700 pounds have finished higher on a YOY basis over 14 of the past 16 months through Feb ’18. Cattle placements under 700 pounds increased 10.2% throughout the ’16-’17 production season and are up an additional 7.8% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Feb ’18 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 108,000 head, or 10.3%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of February. 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 7.2% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season.
Marketings of fed cattle during Feb ’18 totaled 1.68 million head, up 27,000 head, or 1.6%, from February of last year, finishing at a seven year seasonal high. Marketings of fed cattle have finished higher on a YOY basis over 18 of the past 19 months through Feb ’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 3.0% throughout the first five months of the ’17-’18 production season. Other disappearance totaled 57,000 head during Feb ’18, up 1,000 head, or 1.8%, from the previous year.