The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday that cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on March 1, 2025, down 2% from the same time last year.
Placements in feedlots during February reached 1.55 million head, an 18% decrease from 2024. Net placements were 1.49 million head.
The report detailed placement weights, with the largest category being 700-799 pounds at 415,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle in February totaled 1.63 million head, 9% below 2024 levels.
Other disappearance totaled 60,000 head during February, a 7% increase from the previous year.
This data suggests a contraction in the cattle feeding sector, potentially impacting beef supply and prices in the coming months.
