CATTLE ON FEED – USDA Reports

COLORADO

The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Colorado feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or larger was estimated at 840,000 head as of October 1, 2014. The latest inventory was 5 percent above last month’s inventory but 3 percent below October 1, 2013 inventory. The inventory included 530,000 steers and steer calves, down 5 percent from the previous year. The number of heifers and heifer calves, at 305,000 head, are even from a year ago. The number of cows and bulls totaled 5,000 head, no change from last year’s number. Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 155,000 head of fed cattle during September 2014. This was 3 percent above the previous month’s marketings and 7 percent above a year ago. An estimated 200,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during September, up 38 percent from August 2014 placements and up 5 percent from a year ago. Of the number placed in September, 18 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 10 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 23 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 50 percent weighed 800 pounds and greater. Other disappearance for September, at 5,000 head, was unchanged from last month or last year.

UNITED STATES

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.1 million head on October 1, 2014. The inventory was 1 percent below October 1, 2013. The inventory included 6.46 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 64 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.55 million head, down 3 percent from 2013. Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.01 million, 1 percent above 2013. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 460,000, 600-699 pounds were 340,000, 700-799 pounds were 437,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 770,000. For the month of September, placements are the second lowest since the series began in 1996. Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.68 million, 1 percent below 2013. Other disappearance totaled 65,000 during September, 5 percent above 2013.

For a full copy of the October 2014 Cattle on Feed report please visit www.nass.usda.gov.