The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has released its latest cattle on feed report, revealing a 1 percent increase in the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market compared to the previous year. As of July 1, 2024, the total inventory for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head reached 11.3 million.
The inventory includes 6.82 million steers and steer calves, representing a 1 percent increase from July 1, 2023. This group makes up 60 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.48 million head, marking a slight increase from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.56 million head, which is 7 percent lower than the same period in 2023. Net placements were recorded at 1.51 million head. The breakdown of placements by weight categories is as follows:
- Less than 600 pounds: 365,000 head
- 600-699 pounds: 255,000 head
- 700-799 pounds: 350,000 head
- 800-899 pounds: 349,000 head
- 900-999 pounds: 165,000 head
- 1,000 pounds and greater: 80,000 head
Marketings of fed cattle during June were 1.79 million head, representing a 9 percent decrease from 2023 and marking the second lowest June marketing figure since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 57,000 head during June, which is 17 percent below the previous year.
The slight uptick in the overall inventory and the decreases in placements and marketings reflect ongoing adjustments within the cattle industry. The data provide valuable insights into the current state and trends of the U.S. cattle market, helping stakeholders make informed decisions.
