The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced in early February that the U.S. is resuming cattle and bison imports from Mexico.

Although the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) commercial slaughter estimates for the month of December 2024 have not yet published, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published actual slaughter under federal inspection through the end of the year.

The January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2024-25 U.S. corn outlook is for lower production, feed and residual use, exports and ending stocks.

The recent discovery of New World screwworm (NWS) in cattle in the Mexican state of Chiapas has resulted in a restriction on the importation of cattle and bison originating from or transiting through Mexico, effective Nov. 22, 2024.

Earlier this year, it was expected that the number of cattle on feed would shrink year over year in the second half of 2024, based on smaller inventory levels at the beginning of the year, and that year-over-year higher calf prices would result in retention of heifers, limiting numbers in the feedlot.

The December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE) showed this month’s 2024-25 U.S. corn outlook is for greater corn used for ethanol, larger exports and lower ending stocks.

The latest Cattle on Feed report, published by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), estimated the Sept. 1 feedlot inventory at 11.198 million head, about 1% above 11.127 million head in the same month last year.

The latest Cattle on Feed report, published by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), estimated the Aug. 1 feedlot inventory at 11.095 million head, less than 1% above 11.064 million head in the same month last year.