COF: March Feedlot Placements Hit Record Lows

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report released Friday, Apr. 24, 2020, estimated 11.3 million cattle were in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 head or more on April 1 , totaling 5% less than the same month a year ago.

The inventory included 7.08 million steers and steer calves, down 5% from the previous year. This group accounted for 63 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.22 million head, down 7 percent from 2019.

Placements of cattle on feed during March totaled 1.56 million head, 23% below 2019. Placements were the lowest for March since the series began in 1996.

Net placements were 1.50 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 310,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 220,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 410,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 402,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 155,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 60,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 2.01 million head, 13 percent above 2019. Marketings were the second highest for March since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 61,000 head during March, 12 percent below 2019.