Ahead of Friday’s USDA cattle on feed numbers, on average, analysts expect smaller placements against a very slight increase in marketings.
The average projection for placements during January is 98.8% of a year ago, reflecting the continued tight supply of cattle. Projections run from 94.2% to 101.4%.
Marketings are pegged at 100.3% of a year ago with a fairly wide range of estimates, from a 5.8% decline to a 3.7% rise.
The total number of cattle on feed as of February 1 is seen at 102.5% of a year ago, with expectations ranging from 102% to 103.3%
The report is out Friday at 2 PM Central.
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