The February Cattle on Feed report was released on Friday afternoon. Total on-feed inventory March 1 was estimated at 11.6 million head, which is down 2% from compared to 2024.
February 2024 had one extra day due to the leap year but that was not the only driver of the differences.
Feedlot placements during February totaled 1.55 million head, 18% below 2024. During February, placements of calves weighing less than 600 lb. was 295,000 head, 600-699 lb. 275,000 head, 700-799 lb. 415,000 head, 800-899 lb. 389,000 head, 900-999 lb. 130,000 head, and 1,000 lb. and greater was 50,000 head.
“The decline in placements was not unexpected as double-digit declines were expected pre-report, but 18% is still an eye-catching drop,” says Josh Maples, Mississippi State University Extension. “While the smaller number of feeder cattle available is a key part of the current fundamentals, the 18% drop was as much driven by 2024 as it is 2025. The winter storms in 2024 caused irregular placement shifts last year which contributes to the year-over-year comparisons to being so disparate.”
Placements were lower in every reported state except for Washington. The state breakout showed the Texas placement number at only 73%. Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek in Sioux Center, Iowa, says it was a reflection of the constrained movement of Mexican feeder cattle across the Southern border. Plus it also is compared to a big weather induced number last year.
“The February placement number being lower is another signal that upcoming supplies might be tighter than even we were expecting,” adds Glynn Tonsor, K-State livestock economist.
Fed cattle marketed during February totaled 1.63 million head, which is 9% below 2024.
The monthly Livestock Slaughter report was released by USDA-NASS on March 20. The report showed February cattle slaughter totaled 2.3 million head which was 11 percent lower than in February 2024. Steer slaughter was down 6.6 percent, heifer slaughter down 10.4 percent, and cow slaughter was down 21.8 percent from February 2024.
“Cattle weights were again a key point in this report and the average live weight was up to 1,432 lb., which is 48 lb. above a year ago,” Maples reports. “Steer dressed weights averaged 948 lb. which would be 1,517 lb. live weight if a 62.5 percent dressing percentage is assumed.”
Your next read: USDA NASS to Bring Back July Cattle Inventory Report in 2025
