USDA Reports Cattle in Feedlots Down Fractionally
US Cattle on feed December 1, 2024.was down slightly on a year over year basis. Feedlot managers have been able keep their feedlot numbers reasonably close to optimal numbers despite a tight feeder cattle supply. Holding cattle longer putting on additional weight has been the critical strategy to keep feedlots operating near the upper level in the 2000s. Cheap feed grains have also helped US cattle feedlots cope with a very tight feeder cattle supply.
We have structured a table displaying cattle slaughter needed to match USDA’s estimated first half of 2025 US beef production forecast. USDA expects a major drop in beef production in the second half of 2025 compared production very near the year ago level during the January/June period
| US Cattle Slaughter / Beef Production January/June Thousands | ||||
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Percent | |
| Feedlot Mkt | 11,166 | 10,956 | 10,700 | 98% |
| Non Fed Sales | 1,504 | 1,529 | 1,500 | 98% |
| Cows & Bulls | 3,611 | 3,094 | 2,900 | 94% |
| FIS Slaughter | 16,281 | 15,578 | 15,100 | 97% |
| commercial | 16,592 | 15,872 | 15,402 | 97% |
| Com% FIS | 101.90% | 101.90% | 101.90% | |
| Com Beef Mil Lbs. | 13,533 | 13,292 | 13,246 | 100% |
| Weight Lbs. Dressed | 816 | 837 | 860 | 103% |
| Live steer price | $142 | $182 | $189 | 103% |
| Forecast for 2025 based on data available in late December 2024. | ||||