Feedlots Start New Year With 12m Cattle On Hand

Feedlot operators started 2022 with more cattle on hand than expected.  USDA’s monthly Cattle On Feed report indicates that 12,037,000 head of cattle were in the nation’s largest feedlots at the start of January, up 70,000 from a year ago.  This surprised analysts, who had anticipated a slight decline in population figures.  Placements during December also came in above expectations, up six percent at 1,963,000 head.  Marketings were slightly higher at 1,857,000 head.

USDA noted that this month’s feedlot population was the second-highest January first figure reported in the 35-year history of the Cattle On Feed report.  Placements set a record for the month of December, while marketings posted the second-highest total for the month.