USDA photo by Kirsten Strough

The USDA NASS reported on Thursday that cattle and calves on feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head for the U.S. slaughter market totalled 11.6 million head on April 1. This is 2% lower than the same time last year.

Steers and calves accounted for 62% of the inventory. There were 4.38 million heifers and heifer calves. This is a 4% decrease from last year.

March placements in feedlots totaled 1.84 million head. This is 5% higher than 2024.

There were 335,000 head that weighed less than 600 pounds. Two hundred and eighty-five thousand head weighed between 600 and 699 pounds. Four hundred and seventy-five thousand head weighed 700 to 799 pounds. Five hundred and six thousand head weighed 800 to 899 pounds. One hundred seventy-five thousand head weighed 900 to 999 pounds and 65,000 head weighed 1,000 pounds or more.

The following states saw placement figures increase compared to last year:

  • Arizona +9%
  • Idaho +14%
  • Kansas +8%
  • Nebraska + 11%
  • South Dakota +3%
  • Texas +1%

Fed cattle marketing in March totaled 1.73 million head. This is a 1% increase from 2024.

Read more from the latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report here.