Cattle on Feed Lower as U.S. Herd Shrinks

WASHINGTON, DC – The nation’s cattle herd is in contraction, and has been confirmed by the latest July Cattle on Feed Report released by USDA on Friday afternoon. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), there is 11.3 million head on feed as of the first of July, a 1 percent reduction from last year. USDA also projects a 7 percent decline in feedlot placements as higher feed costs and beneficial rains across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas have provided producers an opportunity to keep cattle on pastures longer.

As of July 1, 2021 (compared to July 1, 2020)
INVENTORY: 11.3 million head (-1 percent)
STEERS: 6.98 million head (-1 percent)
HEIFERS: 4.32 million head (-2 percent)
PLACEMENTS: 1.67 million head (-7 percent)
MARKETINGS during June: 2.02 million head (+3 percent)
OTHER DISAPPEARANCE: 57,000 (-8 percent)
(SOURCE: All Ag News)