USDA estimated there were 11.600 million head of cattle in large feedlots (1,000-plus head) as of Oct. 1, virtually unchanged from last year. August placements declined 1.9%, while marketings rose 2.0% from year-ago levels.
| Cattle on Feed Report | USDA (% of year-ago) | Average Estimate (% of year-ago) |
| On Feed on Oct. 1 | 100.0 | 99.7 |
| Placements in September | 98.1 | 96.0 |
| Marketings in September | 102.0 | 102.0 |
Placements declined in the three lightest weight categories, with lightweights (under 600 lbs.) down 6.5%, 6-weights down 7.0% and 7-weights down 3.1%. Placements increased in the three heaviest categories, with 8-weights up 1.5%, 9-weights up 5.2% and heavyweights (1,000-plus lbs.) up 5.3%. By state, placements declined 40,000 head in Texas and 10,000 head in Colorado versus September 2023. Kansas and Nebraska placed the same number of calves into feedlots as last year. “Other states” increased placements 8,000 head.
The Oct. 1 feedlot inventory consisted of 7.0 million steers (up 0.5%) and 4.6 million heifers (down 0.9%). That hints that the industry may be in the very early stages of some herd rebuilding, though it is far from active.
The feedlot inventory and placements numbers were a little heavier than the average pre-report guesses, but not enough to have much if any market impact.