Recent History
On FeedPlacementsMarketingsOn Feed
MonthMillion Head% YoYMillion Head% YoYMillion Head% YoY90+ Days
Sep-2211.342101.0%2.08096.2%1.860104.0%6.012
Oct-2211.50999.6%2.08592.8%1.804100.7%5.717
Nov-2211.73698.2%1.90596.8%1.891101.2%5.621
Dec-2211.69397.6%1.78490.8%1.74193.9%5.787
Jan-2311.68297.0%1.93196.4%1.846104.1%6.073
Feb-2311.70495.9%1.73492.8%1.73595.1%6.258
Mar-2311.64595.5%----6.371
Cattle on Feed Estimates
Estimates
As OfAverageLowHighLast Year
On FeedMar95.4%94.2%96.2%101.6%
PlacementsFeb93.4%90.0%96.9%110.5%
MarketingsFeb95.7%95.0%96.0%104.9%

Highlights

The USDA pegged Mar-23 cattle on feed supply at 95.5% of last year. Placements during Feb-23 came in at 92.8% of last year and Marketings were 95.1% of last year.

The USDA Cattle on Feed report showed placements for the month of February at 92.8% versus trade expectations for 93.4% of a year ago with a range of 90.0%-96.9% range. Marketings came in at 95.1% of last year as compared with the average estimate of 95.7% and a rage of 95.0%-96.0%. The Cattle on Feed supply as of March 1st came in at 95.5% of last year as compared with trade expectations for 95.4% with a range of 94.2% to 96.2%.

Analysis: The report news carried a slight bullish tilt with placements for the month of February a little below trade expectations. The on feed supply came in right on trade expectations and the report should have very little impact on the short term price.

Definition

This file contains the monthly total number of cattle and calves on feed, placements, marketings, and other disappearances; by class and feedlot capacity for selected states; number of feedlots and fed cattle marketings by size groups for selected states. Data is organized by state and by U.S.

Description

This report offers a timely update on the current makeup of the beef cattle herd. It is probably the most-watched of the USDA reports for the cattle markets and can be a market-moving event if it contains a surprise. The marketings number provides an indicator of recent demand and has the ability to affect the price of nearby futures contracts. The placements number offers insight on the future supply of market ready cattle and has a tendency to affect the deferred contracts. Cattle are placed on feed for anywhere from 90 to 180 days, so a large placements number in June would project large market-ready supply in the fall. Both the placements and the marketings numbers inform the on feed number, which is a measure of current supply. The report offers state-by-state breakdowns as well by various weight groupings, providing an opportunity for further, in-depth analysis. Cattle on Feed reports are usually released on Friday afternoons after the cattle futures market closes, and the results will be reflected on the opening the following Monday morning.
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