Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on April 1, according to Cattle on Feed data released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The inventory represents a 1% decline from April 1, 2025, continuing a trend of reduced cattle numbers across the industry. Steers and steer calves accounted for 7.26 million head, down slightly from the previous year, while representing 63% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves totaled 4.32 million head, declining 1% from 2025 levels.
March placements reach historic lows
Feedlot placements during March totaled 1.71 million head, marking a 7% decrease from 2025 and representing the second-lowest March placements since the data series began in 1996. Net placements reached 1.66 million head during the month.
The placement data revealed specific weight category distributions, with cattle weighing 800-899 pounds representing the largest group at 474,000 head. Placements of 700-799 pound cattle totaled 435,000 head, while those under 600 pounds reached 320,000 head. The 600-699 pound category accounted for 250,000 head, with 900-999 pound cattle at 170,000 head and those 1,000 pounds and greater totaling 60,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million head, declining 6% from 2025 levels. Like placements, March marketings represented the second-lowest figure for the month since record-keeping began in 1996.
Other disappearance, which includes deaths and removals for reasons other than slaughter, totaled 50,000 head during March, down 9% from the previous year.
The continued decline in both inventory levels and new placements reflects ongoing challenges facing the cattle industry, including feed costs, weather conditions, and market dynamics affecting producer decisions.
