Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 8/28/17


USDA reported cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on Aug. 1, 2017, up 4 percent from Aug. 1, 2016.

The total was the largest headcount on Aug. 1 since 2012, according to the analysts in the Daily Livestock Report, published by Steiner Consulting Group.

“More animals are on feed than a year ago, but that does not imply any cattle feeders have not marketed animals when ready, as happened in 2015,” the DLR noted.

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.62 million head, 3 percent above 2016. Analysts were all over the map on placements ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, with predictions ranging from 0.8 percent to 14.5 percent. 

Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel noted that while placements were at the low end of the range of analysts’ expectations, placements had been rising by double-digit percentages for the previous four months. 

“The very surprising 16 percent year over year increase in placements in June included increased lightweight placements. These were likely placed early, in June, rather than July and contributed to the rather modest year over year increase in July placements,” Peel wrote in the Cow/Calf Corner newsletter.

Analysts were also expecting the drought in the Northern Plains to contribute to increased lightweight feedlot placements with about 12 percent of the total cattle herd in regions experiencing at least some drought.

During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 360,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 370,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 190,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.78 million head, 4 percent above 2016. This number came in near analysts’ expectations, but “remained rather aggressive compared to the last two years, “ the DLR noted. 

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