Cattle and calves on feed in U.S. feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million on June 1, up 2% from the same date last year, the USDA reported.
Placements during May totaled 1.70 million head, down 10% from May 2025. Net placements reached 1.65 million head for the month.
Fed cattle marketings during May fell 12% from the previous year to 1.55 million head, the second-lowest May total since the data series began in 1996, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Placement weights during May showed the largest category was cattle weighing 800 to 899 pounds at 444,000 head. Placements of cattle weighing 700 to 799 pounds totaled 400,000 head, while those under 600 pounds numbered 320,000 head.
Cattle weighing 600 to 699 pounds accounted for 240,000 head placed, and those weighing 900 to 999 pounds totaled 225,000 head. Placements of cattle weighing 1,000 pounds or more reached 75,000 head.
Other disappearance during May totaled 55,000 head, down 11% from May 2025.
The monthly report tracks cattle and calves being fed for slaughter in feedlots with capacity of at least 1,000 head. The data provides market participants with inventory levels, placement activity and marketing information used for production planning and price forecasting.
The report was released by the USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board through the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
