Another Two Percent Gain For Feeder Populations

Feedlot populations in the U.S. rose another two percent to close out 2019. The monthly Cattle on Feed report indicates that America’s feedlots started out the new year with 11-point-nine-six million (11,958,000) cattle on hand, an increase of nearly 270-thousand head but a slight decline from the start of December. Marketings were up five percent from the previous December at one-point-eight-three million (1,834,000), while placements were at a similar figure and up three percent. Heifers now make up 38 percent of feedlot populations, increasing at a faster rate than their steer counterparts.