Cattle On Feed Numbers Dip Nationally, Increase In The NW

USDA released the April Cattle on Feed report Friday, which showed yet another year-over-year drop in the cattle feedlot inventory.

“Cattle on feed inventories are about 1% lower than the one we saw a year ago," noted USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell.  "So overall, we're seeing fewer placements and fewer marketings.”

Prices Remain High Across The Board

McConnell added total inventory was slightly down compared to last year.  He said overall, cattle prices and beef prices remain fairly elevated across the supply chain.

“So, whether it's feeder prices or fed steers or the wholesale beef prices through the cutout, prices are in many cases. is at near record highs," McConnell said.  "And so overall, there seems to be less movement going in and out of the feedlot sector. The result of that is that the inventories have been, relatively speaking, maintaining higher levels relative to the levels of placements and markings that we've seen compared to a year ago, as well as the fact that we have more heavier cattle sitting in feedlots right now. So, this report suggests that there's about 3.6 million head of cattle that have been in feedlots for more than 150 days. That suggests that within the inventory tilted towards heavier market-ready cattle as we approach the grilling season coming up.”

The Northwest Reporting Higher Numbers

When it comes to Northwest numbers, Idaho reported 355,000 head in feedlots to start April, a month-over-month and year-over-year increase.  Washington reported 270,000 head as of April 1st, up from last year’s numbers, but down from March 1st.

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