September Feedlot Numbers Offer Surprises

A few surprises out of the most recent USDA Cattle on Feed report.  Typically, feedlot placements in September are higher than in August as pastures dry out.  However, last week's report indicates placements at just over two million head, down from August.

"The first time that we've seen that kind of a decline for the month since 2005," said USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagum.  He noted September placements were also 5% lower year over year.

Despite that, October 1st feedlot inventory was up 5% from October 2017, the highest October 1st number since 1996.  He notes that within that feedlot inventory almost 38% was heifers, it was 35% a year ago.  Now Shagam said that plus the fact that cow/calf operators are seeing prices about the same as a year ago.

"We may be seeing a slowing of the expansion of the breeding herd but probably not a reversal quite yet."

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com