The Cattle on Feed report released by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on Feb. 21 reported that the total U.S. inventory of cattle on feed for the slaughter market was down about 1% from year-ago levels at 11.7 million head. However, 1.82 million head of cattle were placed in feedlots in January 2025, up 2% from 2024.
In the month of January, feedlot placement by weight class was as follows:
- Lighter than 600 pounds: 365,000 head
- 600 to 699 pounds: 395,000 head
- 700 to 799 pounds: 505,000 head
- 800 to 899 pounds: 382,000 head
- 900 to 999 pounds: 105,000 head
- 1,000 pounds and heavier: 70,000 head
Fed cattle marketings in January were 1% higher than in 2024 at 1.87 million head.
The report also indicated that cattle on feed for the slaughter market represent about 82.7% of all cattle and calves on feed in the country as of Jan. 1, nearly identical to the same report at the beginning of 2024.
