By Jamie Martin
As of May 1, 2025, the number of cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market in feedlots with capacities of 1,000 head or more totaled 11.4 million head. This represents a 2% decline compared to the same date in 2024, indicating a slight contraction in feedlot inventories.
In April, feedlot placements reached 1.61 million head, showing a 3% decrease from the previous year. Net placements for the month were recorded at 1.56 million head.
A breakdown of the weights of placed cattle and calves reveals that 310,000 head weighed less than 600 pounds, 225,000 head were in the 600-699-pound range, 370,000 head weighed between 700-799 pounds, and 443,000 head were in the 800-899-pound range.
Additionally, 195,000 head weighed 900-999 pounds, and 70,000 head weighed 1,000 pounds or more.
Fed cattle marketings during April were reported at 1.83 million head, which is 3% lower than the same month in 2024.
Meanwhile, the category labeled “other disappearance,” which includes cattle removed from the feedlot system due to reasons other than marketing or death, totaled 50,000 head an 11% decline from April 2024.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: National