U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Dec ’16
According to USDA, cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.65 million head on Dec 1st, finishing 1.4% below the previous year. The Dec ’16 U.S. cattle on feed supply was down 148,000 head from Dec 1st of last year.
Placements in feedlots during Nov ’16 totaled 1.84 million head, up 241,000 head, or 15.0%, from November of last year. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis during Nov ’16, finishing up 37.1%, while placements weighing 600-699 pounds increased 26.6% YOY throughout the month. Placements weighing 800 pounds or more increased 5.3% YOY while placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds finished flat throughout the month. Placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds had finished lower on a YOY basis over six consecutive months prior to finishing flat during Nov ’16. Total placements in feedlots declined 4.4% throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but rebounded by 2.2% throughout the’15-’16 production season.
After deferred placements of heavier animals during the summer of 2014, a trend towards heavier placements was experienced throughout the past two years. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased by 8.8% YOY over the 24 month period ending Aug ’16, but have declined by a total of 6.3% on a YOY basis over the past three months.
Nov ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 103,000 head, or 12.0%, YOY, finishing higher on a YOY basis for only the second time in the past nine months. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.8% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds finished down 11.0% YOY to the lowest annual figure on record. Placements under 700 pounds declined an additional 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season.
Nov ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 138,000 head, or 18.5%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of November. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 9.0% over the second half of the production season but gained back a portion of the previous year declines throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing up 1.0% YOY. Placements 700 pounds or heavier increased an additional 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high.
Marketings of fed cattle during Nov ’16 totaled 1.79 million head, up 255,000 head, or 16.6%, from November of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over nine of the past ten months through November. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during Nov ’16, down 10,000 head, or 12.7% on a YOY basis.
Placements in feedlots during Nov ’16 totaled 1.84 million head, up 241,000 head, or 15.0%, from November of last year. Placements for those weighing 700-799 pounds increased the most on a YOY basis during Nov ’16, finishing up 37.1%, while placements weighing 600-699 pounds increased 26.6% YOY throughout the month. Placements weighing 800 pounds or more increased 5.3% YOY while placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds finished flat throughout the month. Placements for those weighing less than 600 pounds had finished lower on a YOY basis over six consecutive months prior to finishing flat during Nov ’16. Total placements in feedlots declined 4.4% throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing at the lowest annual figure on record, but rebounded by 2.2% throughout the’15-’16 production season.
After deferred placements of heavier animals during the summer of 2014, a trend towards heavier placements was experienced throughout the past two years. Placements for those weighing 800 pounds or more increased by 8.8% YOY over the 24 month period ending Aug ’16, but have declined by a total of 6.3% on a YOY basis over the past three months.
Nov ’16 cattle placements under 700 pounds increased by 103,000 head, or 12.0%, YOY, finishing higher on a YOY basis for only the second time in the past nine months. Cattle placements under 700 pounds were generally higher throughout the ’13-’14 production season, finishing up 4.8% YOY, however ’14-’15 placements under 700 pounds finished down 11.0% YOY to the lowest annual figure on record. Placements under 700 pounds declined an additional 5.4% throughout the ’15-’16 production season.
Nov ’16 cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier increased by 138,000 head, or 18.5%, on a YOY basis, finishing at a record seasonal high for the month of November. Cattle placements 700 pounds or heavier finished the ’13-’14 production season down 3.3% after declining 9.0% over the second half of the production season but gained back a portion of the previous year declines throughout the ’14-’15 production season, finishing up 1.0% YOY. Placements 700 pounds or heavier increased an additional 7.7% YOY throughout the ’15-’16 production season, finishing at a 13 year high.
Marketings of fed cattle during Nov ’16 totaled 1.79 million head, up 255,000 head, or 16.6%, from November of last year. Marketings of fed cattle have increased on a YOY basis over nine of the past ten months through November. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during Nov ’16, down 10,000 head, or 12.7% on a YOY basis.