The USDA’s Cattle on Feed report released Nov. 22, 2024, showed an inventory of 12 million head on feed for slaughter in the U.S. as of Nov. 1. That number is just 0.3% above the same time in 2023. Though a month-to-month jump in feedlot placements was expected as the annual fall run commenced, the 2.29 million head placed in feedlots in October is a full 5% higher than the October 2023 number.
Throughout October, placements of cattle by weight class were as follows:
- Lighter than 600 pounds: 585,000 head
- 600 to 699 pounds: 480,000 head
- 700 to 799 pounds: 490,000 head
- 800 to 899 pounds: 436,000 head
- 900 to 999 pounds: 215,000 head
- Heavier than 1,000 pounds: 80,000 head
Heifers remain a substantial portion of feedlot placements – with some estimates putting the share at over 40% – suggesting that producers are still reluctant to retain replacement heifers as drought conditions persist throughout much of the western half of the country.
