April Record For Cattle On Feed Populations

The nation’s feedlots set a record for the number of cattle on feed at the start of April.  USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report indicates that 12,105,000 head were on hand to start the month, a two-percent gain from the previous year but a net decline of 63,000 head during March.  Still, it’s the highest recorded April total in the 26-year history of the report.  Placements were at 1,990,000 head, slightly below year-ago levels, while marketings were down two percent at two million head.  Placements during March increased in states that were experiencing significant drought conditions, including California, Nebraska and Washington.