News

U.S. cattle on feed up 3%

The USDA’s cattle on feed report points to continued slow re-expansion of the U.S. herd.

Even with the growth in the herd, producers are still holding back calves, keeping placements historically low, which will keep market ready numbers tight in late fall 2015 and early spring 2016. Most of those placements were older, heavier weight cattle, but there were still a significant amount of calves placed.

Placements on feed during July were 1.547 million head, 1% below last year, and the lowest for the month since the series of reports started.

The total number of cattle on feed as of August 1st, 2015 was 10.002 million head, up 3% from August 1st, 2014.

Marketings during July were 1.725 million head, 3% less than a year ago, and the lowest July total since 1996.

Weather, disease and predation were not significant factors with other disappearances down 11% on the year at 56,000 head.

The numbers were close to expectations and are expected to be neutral for the futures market.