The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its latest Cattle on Feed report on December 20, 2024, revealing a slight decrease in the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market compared to the previous year.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head held 12.0 million cattle on December 1, 2024, marginally below the December 1, 2023 levels.
Key findings from the report include:
Placements: November placements totaled 1.80 million head, down 4 percent from 2023. Net placements were 1.74 million head.
Weight distribution of placements:
- Less than 600 pounds: 495,000 head
- 600-699 pounds: 420,000 head
- 700-799 pounds: 375,000 head
- 800-899 pounds: 276,000 head
- 900-999 pounds: 145,000 head
- 1,000 pounds and greater: 85,000 head
Marketings: Fed cattle marketings during November reached 1.73 million head, a 1 percent decrease from 2023.
Other disappearance: 55,000 head during November, up 2 percent from the previous year.
This report provides valuable insights into the current state of the U.S. cattle industry, indicating a slight contraction in feedlot inventories and reduced placements compared to the previous year. These trends may have implications for beef supply and prices in the coming months.
