18 Months of Continual Cattle on Feed Increases

For the 18th month straight the Cattle on Feed report has shown monthly year-over-year inventory increase with an additional 457,000 head of cattle in feedlots since last June. The 4% increase helped the latest June 1 inventory reach the highest levels recorded since the USDA began reporting the series in 1996.

There were 11,553,000 cattle reported in feedlots at the start of June which was a 5,000 head drop since May.

Arizona and California led the pack for percentage increases in placements from last year by state with 21% and 19% more cattle respectively. Colorado and Oklahoma saw the biggest drops in percentage of cattle on feed inventory with 9% and 5% fewer cattle respectively.

Overall the top five cattle on feed inventories were as follows:

1. Texas 2,730,000 head
2. Nebraska 2,530,000 head
3. Kansas 2,320,000 head
4. Colorado 950,000 head
5. Iowa 720,000 head

Placements for May were relatively stagnant year-over-year with only a 5,000 head increase from May 2017. For May 2018, there were 2,124,000 cattle placed.

Placements were led by the following weight classes of cattle:

1. 800-899 lb. at 524,000 head
2. 700-799 lb. at 480,000 head
3. Less than 600 lb. at 445,000 head
4. 600-699 lb. at 340,000 head
5. 900-999 lb. at 235,000 head
6. 1,000 lb. or greater at 100,000 head

Fed cattle marketings rose by 5% with 2,056,000 cattle going to packers this May.

The full June 2018 Cattle on Feed report can be read here.