Cattle on Feed – 4/22/2022

March 2022 Cattle feedlot placements declined modestly last month but remained at a relatively high level compared with same month data published in recent years. Finished cattle marketings also declined fractionally on a year over year basis. Live (finished) cattle sales will likely decline slightly year over year for the next six months.

Cattle on feed April 1 equated to 13% of the January all cattle inventory. The number of heifers moving into feedlots has restricted the increase in cattle inventory which will become increasingly necessary over the next year if adequate beef supplies are to be maintained. The need to rebuild the cattle herd has been a major supporting force in the cattle futures market