Cattle on Feed ISSN: 1948-9080 Released July 21, 2017, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). United States Cattle on Feed Up 4 Percent Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on July 1, 2017. The inventory was 4 percent above July 1, 2016. The inventory included 6.96 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 64 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.86 million head, up 11 percent from 2016. Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.77 million head, 16 percent above 2016. Net placements were 1.71 million head. During June, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 315,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 430,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 385,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 170,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during June totaled 1.99 million head, 4 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 56,000 head during June, 8 percent below 2016. United States All Cattle on Feed Up 6 Percent from 2015 Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 12.8 million head on July 1, 2017. The inventory was up 6 percent from the July 1, 2015 total of 12.1 million head. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 84.5 percent of the total cattle on feed on July 1, 2017, down 0.1 percent from 2015. Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: July 1, 2016 and 2017 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2016 : 2017 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed June 1 .........................: 10,804 11,096 103 Placed on feed during June .............: 1,525 1,770 116 Fed cattle marketed during June ........: 1,912 1,989 104 Other disappearance during June ........: 61 56 92 On feed July 1 .........................: 10,356 10,821 104 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: June 1, 2016 and 2017 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2016 : 2017 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed May 1 ..........................: 10,783 10,998 102 Placed on feed during May ..............: 1,889 2,119 112 Fed cattle marketed during May .........: 1,794 1,951 109 Other disappearance during May .........: 74 70 95 On feed June 1 .........................: 10,804 11,096 103 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: July 1, 2016 and 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :--------------------------------------------------------- : 2016 : 2017 :previous year : inventory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 Head --- percent percent : Class on feed July 1 : Steers and steer calves ..............: 6,869 6,964 101 64 Heifers and heifer calves ............: 3,487 3,857 111 36 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Cattle on Feed - United States: July 1, 2015 and 2017 [2016 all cattle on feed estimate not available due to the July 2016 "Cattle" report being suspended] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of State :---------------------------: : 2015 : 2017 : 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 Head ---- percent : United States .......................: 12,100 12,800 106 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : July 1, 2017 : : :-------------------------------------------- State : July 1, 2016 : June 1, 2017 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 head -------------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 286 246 246 86 100 California .......: 425 440 440 104 100 Colorado .........: 850 970 930 109 96 Idaho ............: 235 270 260 111 96 Iowa .............: 610 680 670 110 99 Kansas ...........: 2,050 2,270 2,190 107 96 Minnesota ........: 145 145 140 97 97 Nebraska .........: 2,180 2,350 2,230 102 95 Oklahoma .........: 310 330 325 105 98 South Dakota .....: 235 240 225 96 94 Texas ............: 2,550 2,650 2,670 105 101 Washington .......: 195 205 205 105 100 : Other States .....: 285 300 290 102 97 : United States ....: 10,356 11,096 10,821 104 98 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During June 2017 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : June 2016 : May 2017 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 19 26 22 116 85 California .......: 58 71 56 97 79 Colorado .........: 105 160 125 119 78 Idaho ............: 38 39 35 92 90 Iowa .............: 54 85 72 133 85 Kansas ...........: 350 440 395 113 90 Minnesota ........: 12 17 15 125 88 Nebraska .........: 365 445 425 116 96 Oklahoma .........: 42 80 51 121 64 South Dakota .....: 24 39 40 167 103 Texas ............: 380 640 450 118 70 Washington .......: 41 41 40 98 98 : Other States .....: 37 36 44 119 122 : United States ....: 1,525 2,119 1,770 116 84 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During June 2016 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs : 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800-899 lbs : 900+ lbs1/ : 900-999 lbs : 1,000+ lbs : Total --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head : Colorado ......: 15 15 30 20 25 (D) (D) 105 Kansas ........: 55 65 90 95 45 (D) (D) 350 Nebraska ......: 30 50 70 105 110 (D) (D) 365 Texas .........: 115 85 90 65 25 (D) (D) 380 : Other States ..: 75 40 60 90 60 (D) (D) 325 : United States .: 290 255 340 375 (X) 170 95 1,525 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During May 2017 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs : 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800-899 lbs : 900+ lbs 1/ : 900-999 lbs : 1,000+ lbs : Total --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head : Colorado ......: 25 20 35 45 35 (D) (D) 160 Kansas ........: 50 70 135 115 70 (D) (D) 440 Nebraska ......: 50 50 95 130 120 (D) (D) 445 Texas .........: 155 125 180 145 35 (D) (D) 640 : Other States ..: 120 50 84 115 65 (D) (D) 434 : United States .: 400 315 529 550 (X) 235 90 2,119 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During June 2017 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs : 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800-899 lbs : 900+ lbs 1/ : 900-999 lbs : 1,000+ lbs : Total --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head 1,000 head : Colorado ......: 25 25 35 20 20 (D) (D) 125 Kansas ........: 65 80 110 95 45 (D) (D) 395 Nebraska ......: 35 55 105 110 120 (D) (D) 425 Texas .........: 155 105 105 65 20 (D) (D) 450 : Other States ..: 95 50 75 95 60 (D) (D) 375 : United States .: 375 315 430 385 (X) 170 95 1,770 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (X) Not applicable. 1/ The 900 pounds and greater weight group is the sum of 900-999 pounds and 1,000 pounds and greater weight groups. Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During June 2017 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : June 2016 : May 2017 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 27 22 21 78 95 California .......: 45 53 52 116 98 Colorado .........: 140 140 160 114 114 Idaho ............: 47 42 43 91 102 Iowa .............: 72 82 80 111 98 Kansas ...........: 450 435 465 103 107 Minnesota ........: 20 26 19 95 73 Nebraska .........: 510 530 530 104 100 Oklahoma .........: 51 58 55 108 95 South Dakota .....: 36 51 53 147 104 Texas ............: 430 440 420 98 95 Washington .......: 40 35 39 98 111 : Other States .....: 44 37 52 118 141 : United States ....: 1,912 1,951 1,989 104 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During June 2017 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : June 2016 : May 2017 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 head ---------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 6 1 1 17 100 California .......: 3 3 4 133 133 Colorado .........: 5 10 5 100 50 Idaho ............: 1 2 2 200 100 Iowa .............: 2 3 2 100 67 Kansas ...........: 10 15 10 100 67 Minnesota ........: 1 1 1 100 100 Nebraska .........: 15 15 15 100 100 Oklahoma .........: 1 2 1 100 50 South Dakota .....: 3 3 2 67 67 Texas ............: 10 10 10 100 100 Washington .......: 1 1 1 100 100 : Other States .....: 3 4 2 67 50 : United States ....: 61 70 56 92 80 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2016 and 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Steers and steer calves : Heifers and heifer calves :----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Jul 1, : Apr 1, : Jul 1, : Jul 1, : Apr 1, : Jul 1, : 2016 : 2017 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Head : Arizona ............: 280 228 239 6 11 7 California .........: 380 390 410 45 25 30 Colorado ...........: 550 605 575 300 335 355 Idaho ..............: 155 180 180 80 80 80 Iowa ...............: 440 500 510 170 170 160 Kansas .............: 1,070 1,230 1,120 980 1,030 1,070 Minnesota ..........: 124 132 120 21 28 20 Nebraska ...........: 1,430 1,640 1,440 750 820 790 Oklahoma ...........: 195 185 190 115 115 135 South Dakota .......: 140 145 135 95 105 90 Texas ..............: 1,780 1,680 1,730 770 780 940 Washington .........: 125 125 125 70 70 80 : Other States .......: 200 200 190 85 110 100 : United States ......: 6,869 7,240 6,964 3,487 3,679 3,857 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates Cattle on feed are steers and heifers being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement in another feedlot. Placements are steers and heifers put into a feedlot, fed a ration which will produce a carcass that will grade select or better, and are intended for the slaughter market. Marketings are steers and heifers shipped out of feedlots to a slaughter market. Other disappearance includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: During January and July all known feedlots in the United States with capacity of 1,000 or more head are surveyed to provide data for cattle on feed estimates. During the other months, all known feedlots from 16 States are surveyed. The 16 States account for approximately 98 percent of the cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. Individual State estimates are published monthly for 12 of the 16 States. Data collected from the remaining 4 States are used to establish the "Other States" estimates. These 4 States include Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wyoming. The "Other States" category represents all cattle on feed with a capacity of 1,000 or more head for the rest of the United States. Estimating Procedures: These cattle on feed estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing recommendations and analysis submitted by Regional Field Offices. Regional and State survey data were reviewed for reasonableness with each other and with estimates from the previous month when establishing the current estimates. Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve month to month relationships. Estimates for the previous month are subject to revision in all States each month when current estimates are made. In February, all monthly estimates for the previous year, and the number of feedlots and annual marketings from two years ago are reviewed and subject to revisions. The reviews are primarily based on slaughter data, state check-off or brand data, and any other data that may have been received after the original estimate was made. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date and estimates become final. Reliability: Since all 1,000+ capacity cattle on feed operators in every State are not included in the monthly survey, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the table on the following page. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and latest estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for cattle on feed inventory estimates over the past 24 months is 0.1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 10.8 million head by more than 0.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.1 percent. The table on the following page shows a 24 month record of the range of differences between first and latest estimates for selected items. Using estimates of number on feed as an example, changes between the first estimate and the latest estimate during the past 24 months have averaged 3,000 head, ranging from 0 to 15,000 head. During this period the initial estimate has been above the latest estimate 1 time and has been below the latest estimate 6 times. This does not imply that the initial estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory. Reliability of Monthly Cattle on Feed Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent ------- 1,000 ------- ----- number ---- : Number on feed ...............: 0.1 0.1 3 0 15 6 1 : Placements ...................: 0.2 0.4 2 0 15 6 2 : Marketings ...................: 0.1 0.2 0 0 10 0 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov. Vacant, Chief, Livestock Branch ................. (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240 David Colwell - Sheep and Goats .............. (202) 720-8784 Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236 Michael Klamm - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ....... (202) 720-3040 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Seth Riggins - Hogs and Pigs ................. (202) 720-3106 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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