The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its latest report on May 24, 2024, indicating a slight decline in the number of cattle on feed for the slaughter market. As of May 1, 2024, the inventory for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million, down 1% from the same date in 2023.
April saw placements in feedlots reaching 1.66 million head, which is 6% below the placements during April 2023. The net placements for the month were 1.60 million head. Breakdown of the placements by weight category for April is as follows:
- Less than 600 pounds: 335,000 head
- 600-699 pounds: 220,000 head
- 700-799 pounds: 375,000 head
- 800-899 pounds: 451,000 head
- 900-999 pounds: 205,000 head
- 1,000 pounds and greater: 70,000 head
Marketings of fed cattle in April totaled 1.87 million head, marking a 10% increase from April 2023. Other disappearance, which includes deaths and movement of cattle from feedlots to pastures, totaled 56,000 head in April, also up 10% from the previous year.
