U.S. August cattle placements fall to record low

U.S. feedlots placed fewer cattle in August than in any other August since the data series began in 1996, according to the latest Cattle on Feed report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Despite the decline, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totalled 11.2 million head as of September 1, up one per cent from a year earlier.

August placements totalled 1.62 million head, down nine per cent from the previous year. Net placements were reported at 1.57 million head. USDA data shows it was the lowest August placement total since the series began in 1996.

The report was largely in line with pre-report trade expectations, which anticipated lower placements and marketings alongside slightly higher on-feed inventories.

By weight, placements included:

• 320,000 head weighing less than 600 pounds
• 240,000 head weighing 600 to 699 pounds
• 355,000 head weighing 700 to 799 pounds
• 387,000 head weighing 800 to 899 pounds
• 230,000 head weighing 900 to 999 pounds
• 85,000 head weighing 1,000 pounds or more

Marketings during August totaled 1.52 million head, down three per cent from the same month last year. It was also the lowest August marketing total since 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 52,000 head during the month, up two per cent from August 2025.