May Cattle on Feed Report

May Cattle on Feed Report

The USDA Cattle on Feed Report had placements in feedlots during the month of May totaled 2.12 million head, 12 percent above a year ago. USDA Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagam says the large placements are understandable

Shagam: "So returns of feedlots have been positive since the beginning of the year and they were anxious to fill some of their bunk space. That in part relates to the increase in placements. You are also come off of a larger calf crop a year ago so to some extend that provided some support though we are probably digging fairly deep into that pool of cattle outside feedlots to sustain the level of placements that we saw during May."

In Idaho, cattle placed on feed was 39,000 head down 2 percent from the previous month, and down 2 percent from the previous year. Number of cattle marketed was at 42,000 head which was 75 percent higher than the previous month and 20 percent ahead of a year ago.

In Washington, the number of cattle placed on feed was was 41,000 head which was 14 percent higher than the previous month, but down 15 percent than the previous year. Marketed numbers were up 21 percent from the previous month but down 24 percent from a year ago.

In Colorado, the number of cattle placed on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or great was estimated at 160,000 head which was 3 percent above the previous month's inventory and 19 percent above a year ago. Marketing wise 140,000 head of fed cattle were marketed during May which was 12 percent higher than the previous month and 8 percent above a year ago.

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