Heifers remain a significant part of fed cattle population, indicating producers are not yet rebuilding herds.

The USDA’s June 2024 Cattle on Feed report showed 11.6 million cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the country on feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, slightly below the June 2023 report.

The USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report, published May 24, showed that 1.87 million head of fed cattle were marketed in April, a more than 10% increase from the same period last year.

There was a 10% increase in February feedlot placements from 2023 to 1.89 million head, representing the most February placements since at least 1996.

The Cattle on Feed report released by the USDA-NASS on Feb. 23 showed that animals in feedlots bound for the slaughter market in the U.S. totaled 11.8 million head on Feb. 1, a slightly higher inventory than the same period in 2023.

The February Feed Outlook report showed the 2023-24 global coarse grain production is reduced. Supply is slightly lower at 442.6 million metric tons. However, reductions in total U.S. coarse grain use outweigh supply losses, lifting ending stocks.

In its semiannual report released Jan. 31, USDA NASS reported the total number of all cattle and calves in the U.S. at 87.2 million head on Jan. 1, 2024.