(WASHINGTON D.C.) — The latest Cattle on Feed report from USDA showed a large drop in placements (more than average estimates) and a slight drop in on-feed numbers for the month of March.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on March 1, 2025. The inventory was 2 percent below March 1, 2024.
Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.55 million head, 18 percent below 2024. Net placements were 1.49 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 295,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 275,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 415,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 389,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 130,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 50,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.63 million head, 9 percent below 2024. Other disappearance totaled 60,000 head during February, 7 percent above 2024.
The average pre-report estimates were for on-feed at 98.3% with the actual number coming in at 98%. Placements estimates were at 85.4% with the actual number coming in at 82% while marketings was estimated at 92% and came in at 91% this month from USDA.
View the full report here: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/m326m174z
