Cattle on Feed Higher, Placements Lower

An article on DTN/Progressive Farmer

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on June 1, 2026. The inventory was 2% above June 1, 2025, USDA NASS reported on Thursday.

Placements in feedlots during May totaled 1.70 million head, 10% below 2025. Net placements were 1.65 million head. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 320,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 240,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 400,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 444,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 225,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.

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