USDA reports slight decline in cattle on feed

According to the latest data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in large U.S. feedlots has decreased by 1 per cent compared to last year.

As of February 1, 2025, there were 11.7 million head of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head, down from the same date in 2024.

In January, feedlot placements reached 1.82 million head, marking a 2 per cent increase from the previous year. Net placements stood at 1.76 million head. The breakdown of placements by weight category included:

• 365,000 head between 600-699 pounds
• 505,000 head between 700-799 pounds
• 382,000 head between 800-899 pounds
• 105,000 head between 900-999 pounds
• 70,000 head at 1,000 pounds or more

Marketings of fed cattle in January totaled 1.87 million head, a 1 per cent rise from January 2024. Other disappearances, which includes death loss and movement from feedlots to pasture, totaled 60,000 head, a 26 per cent decrease with the previous year.

On January 1, 2025, cattle and calves in large feedlots represented 82.7 per cent of all cattle on feed in the United States, consistent with the previous year’s percentage. In 2024, fed cattle marketings from these large feedlots accounted for 87.2 per cent of the total cattle marketed, slightly down from 87.3 per cent in 2023.

To view the full report, click here.