The USDA's December "Feeder Cattle" report showed that U.S. feedlot inventories totaled 12 million heads as of December 1, 2023, up from December 1, 2022.
Texas (2.91 million head) and Kansas (2.5 million head) saw the largest increases in livestock numbers, with Texas up 4% and Kansas inventory up 7% year-over-year, according to Derrell Peel, livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University Extension. Nebraska (2.58 million heads) and Colorado (1.03 million heads) both fell 1% compared to the same period last year. Peel said those four states accounted for 75 percent of feedlot inventories on Dec. 11%。At the same time, Iowa's feedlot inventory rose 2% to 640,000 heads, making Iowa the fifth-largest feedlot state.
Given the problems producers have experienced over the past year, it's not surprising that feedlot placements are down 2% year-over-year in this month's report, said Shayle Shagam, a livestock analyst at the USDA. Placements totalled 1.87 million heads in November.
In November, 535,000 cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were mated, 440,000 cattle were mated to 600-699 pounds and calves weighing less than 600 pounds, 380,000 cattle were bred to 700-799 pounds and calves weighing less than 600 pounds, 288,000 were mated to 800-899 pound cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds, and 900-999 pounds cattle and less than 600 pounds The number of calves bred is 140,000 pounds, and the number of calves 1,000 pounds and above and calves weighing less than 600 pounds is 85,000.
"The arid environment, poor wheat pastures, and strained water resources** can drive many livestock earlier than normal," he said. "Over time, the number of livestock available for later placement decreases. ”
Peel said the headline payroll was slightly higher than average expectations and at the top end of pre-report estimates.
"Although fattening farm inventories have increased by 2 percent from a year ago," he said7%, but in the last six months (96 percent of the feedlot inventory in December.)2%), down 03%。"This means that the increase in feedlot stocks is now due to a lower feedlot turnover, not because of an increase in total feedlot production. ”
In November, 1.75 million feeder cattle were sold, 7% lower than in 2022.
As for the market, Peel said there was some feed and fattening cattle in the week leading up to Christmas. On December 22, cash fattening** in five markets was 170$50 hundredth, about 2 cwt than the previous week**00 cwt.
"In 2023, weekly feeder cattle** are on average 22% higher than the same period last year," Peel noted. ”
During the last week of sales in 2023, feeder cattle at auction in Oklahoma are significantly larger. The 475-pound, medium-large, No. 1 bull has a ** of 317$52 cwt, 44% more than a year ago**. According to Peele, the average for all weeks of the year is 37% year-over-year.
Peel added that 775 pounds of beef cattle ** are 225US$87 cwt, up 28% year-over-year. In 2023, these large beef cattle saw an average weekly increase of 31% year-over-year.
Looking ahead to 2024, Shagam said that tightening will eventually mean a higher year in the new year.
*：beefmagazine
Translation: Zhongjin Meat Chain.