The latest monthly Cattle on Feed report showed the Jan. 1 inventory in feedlots (over 1,000 head) at 11.958 million head, 102.3% of one year ago. This is the largest January on-feed total since 2008.

The ongoing wildfires in Australia represent the latest in nearly a decade of environmental challenges the country has faced. This has prompted questions about the impact of the fires on Australian cattle and beef production and trade. This article was compiled from several Australian reports and other media and data sources.

No matter how you judge the past year – good, just OK or disappointing – there is value in taking some time to analyze the reasons for the outcome.

The latest USDA Cattle on Feed report pegs Nov. 1 feedlot inventories at 11.83 million head in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more. This is 101.2% of last year and up 4.8% from October as feedlot inventories increase to a seasonal peak.

Boxed beef prices increased about 10% over the month of October into early November. This increase was significantly higher than the normal seasonal bump of less than 2% from October to November.

The USDA reported Sept. 1 feedlot inventories at 10.98 million head, down 1.3% from one year ago. This is the first year-over-year decrease in monthly cattle on feed totals in 33 months, since December 2016.

Total cattle imports in July were down 4.1%, with year-to-date total cattle imports up 14.7% year over year for the January through July period. Cattle imports in 2018 totaled 1.9 million head, including 66.8% Mexican cattle and 33.2% from Canada.

May is the season of severe storms in Oklahoma. The week leading up to Memorial Day included numerous severe storms and several tornadoes in the state with lots of damage and, most regrettably, several injuries and fatalities. A bit more unusual this year is the persistent pattern of wet weather. 

The latest USDA-NASS Cattle on Feed (COF) report pegged April 1 feedlot inventories at 11.96 million head – 102 percent of last year and a record April level for the data series, which started in 1996.

USDA-AMS estimates U.S. beef production for the year to date to be down 1 percent year over year. Total cattle slaughter is up 0.7 percent so far this year over last year.