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Feedlots with 1,000+ head capacity · on feed, placements, and marketings · released 2026-09-18
A monthly count of cattle in feedlots, how many went in, and how many went out. Placements are the closest read available on feeder cattle demand - cattle placed now become fed cattle four to six months out, which is what sets supply next year.
USDA puts cattle on feed at 11.16M head as of Sep 1 2026, 101% of last year, placements during Aug 2026 totaled 1.62M head (91% of last year), and marketings 1.52M head (97% of last year).
Placements are cattle moved into feedlots - the closest thing to a demand read for feeder cattle. This month's 1.62M head is 91% of last year. Heavier placements now mean more fed-cattle supply four to six months out.
View Feeder Cattle positioning →Source: USDA NASS - Cattle on Feed (feedlots with 1,000+ head capacity). Released monthly, ~the third or fourth Friday. Placements and marketings are the prior month; inventory is first-of-month.
We self-host each published file as it’s ingested. None archived yet - browse the official source meanwhile:
View at USDA NASS