Cattle on Feed ISSN: 1948-9080 Released February 20, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Special Note NASS has revised monthly cattle on feed estimates back to February 2013 to better align with the definition that cattle should grade select or better to be counted in the NASS monthly cattle on feed program. This means that cows and bulls have been removed from these previous estimates and future cattle on feed estimates. The 2013 monthly data for cattle on feed, inventory, placements, placement weights, and quarterly class breakouts are now available on Quick Stats. This report contains the 2014 monthly cattle on feed estimates for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. The U.S. number of feedlots, inventory, and annual marketings by size group for 2013 and 2014 are provided in this report. Data for total U.S. capacity of 1,000 or more head feedlots are also published in this issue. In addition, January 1, 2014 and 2015 All Cattle on Feed are provided in this publication. Please contact the Livestock Branch at (202) 720-3570 or email at hq_sd_lb@nass.usda.gov with any questions or concerns. United States Cattle on Feed Up Slightly Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on February 1, 2015. The inventory was slightly above February 1, 2014. Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.79 million, 11 percent below 2014. Net placements were 1.71 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000, 600-699 pounds were 340,000, 700-799 pounds were 477,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 565,000. Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.63 million, 9 percent below 2014. January marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 77,000 during January, 8 percent above 2014. 2014 Cattle on Feed and Annual Size Group Estimates Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 81.6 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2015, up from 81.3 on January 1, 2014. Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2014 represented 87.2 percent of all cattle marketed from feedlots in the United States, up from 86.9 percent during 2013. Contents Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: February 1, 2014 and 2015................................................................... 3 Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015.................................................................... 3 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015.............. 3 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015.... 4 Cattle on Feed Inventory on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States....................................... 4 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015.............................................................................................. 5 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2013 and 2015............................................................................... 5 Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015... 6 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015......... 6 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014............. 7 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014...... 8 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014........................................................................................ 9 Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014............ 13 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014.................. 14 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2014............ 15 Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2013 and 2014............ 15 Total Feedlot Capacity of 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 - 2015................. 15 Total Number of Cattle on Feed - States and United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015........................ 16 Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates.......................................................... 17 Reliability Monthly Cattle on Feed Estimates............................................................... 17 Information Contacts....................................................................................... 18 Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: February 1, 2014 and 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2014 : 2015 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed January 1 ......................: 10,523 10,626 101 Placed on feed during January ..........: 2,014 1,787 89 Fed cattle marketed during January .....: 1,788 1,625 91 Other disappearance during January .....: 71 77 108 On feed February 1 .....................: 10,678 10,711 100 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015 [December preceeding year.] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2014 : 2015 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed December 1 .....................: 10,682 10,816 101 Placed on feed during December .........: 1,654 1,537 93 Fed cattle marketed during December ....: 1,736 1,655 95 Other disappearance during December ....: 77 72 94 On feed January 1 ......................: 10,523 10,626 101 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2014 : 2015 :previous year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head --- percent : Class on feed January 1 : Steers and steer calves ...........: 6,790 6,948 102 Heifers and heifer calves .........: 3,733 3,678 99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : February 1, 2015 : : :-------------------------------------------- State :February 1, 2014 : January 1, 2015 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 head -------------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 272 249 247 91 99 California .......: 520 425 440 85 104 Colorado .........: 950 900 890 94 99 Idaho ............: 210 230 230 110 100 Iowa .............: 660 640 660 100 103 Kansas ...........: 2,050 2,050 2,090 102 102 Minnesota ........: 136 137 139 102 101 Nebraska .........: 2,430 2,460 2,490 102 101 Oklahoma .........: 265 255 265 100 104 South Dakota .....: 220 230 230 105 100 Texas ............: 2,440 2,500 2,490 102 100 Washington .......: 200 210 210 105 100 : Other States .....: 325 340 330 102 97 : United States ....: 10,678 10,626 10,711 100 101 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2015 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2014 :December 2014 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 31 26 30 97 115 California .......: 70 51 64 91 125 Colorado .........: 190 130 135 71 104 Idaho ............: 41 45 35 85 78 Iowa .............: 114 101 100 88 99 Kansas ...........: 435 330 410 94 124 Minnesota ........: 18 17 15 83 88 Nebraska .........: 545 385 495 91 129 Oklahoma .........: 47 36 50 106 139 South Dakota .....: 39 27 30 77 111 Texas ............: 405 325 350 86 108 Washington .......: 42 30 40 95 133 : Other States .....: 37 34 33 89 97 : United States ....: 2,014 1,537 1,787 89 116 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2013 and 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .........: 45 30 45 25 50 35 50 45 190 135 Kansas ...........: 65 65 90 85 145 125 135 135 435 410 Nebraska .........: 75 60 115 95 165 140 190 200 545 495 Texas ............: 160 125 80 60 95 95 70 70 405 350 : Other States .....: 125 125 105 75 104 82 105 115 439 397 : United States ....: 470 405 435 340 559 477 550 565 2,014 1,787 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During December :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 : 2013 : 2014 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .........: 40 35 40 30 35 25 35 40 150 130 Kansas ...........: 70 60 90 75 110 100 90 95 360 330 Nebraska .........: 80 65 90 95 95 85 130 140 395 385 Texas ............: 160 145 90 75 75 65 45 40 370 325 : Other States .....: 125 135 100 90 74 57 80 85 379 367 : United States ....: 475 440 410 365 389 332 380 400 1,654 1,537 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2015 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2014 :December 2014 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 32 26 23 72 88 California .......: 58 54 44 76 81 Colorado .........: 170 135 140 82 104 Idaho ............: 45 34 34 76 100 Iowa .............: 71 80 78 110 98 Kansas ...........: 385 370 355 92 96 Minnesota ........: 10 13 12 120 92 Nebraska .........: 470 440 450 96 102 Oklahoma .........: 40 39 39 98 100 South Dakota .....: 41 30 27 66 90 Texas ............: 385 365 345 90 95 Washington .......: 35 42 38 109 90 : Other States .....: 46 27 40 87 148 : United States ....: 1,788 1,655 1,625 91 98 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 and 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2015 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2014 :December 2014 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 head ---------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 1 3 9 900 300 California .......: 2 7 5 250 71 Colorado .........: 10 5 5 50 100 Idaho ............: 1 1 1 100 100 Iowa .............: 3 1 2 67 200 Kansas ...........: 10 10 15 150 150 Minnesota ........: 1 1 1 100 100 Nebraska .........: 15 15 15 100 100 Oklahoma .........: 2 2 1 50 50 South Dakota .....: 3 2 3 100 150 Texas ............: 20 20 15 75 75 Washington .......: 2 3 2 100 67 : Other States .....: 1 2 3 300 150 : United States ....: 71 72 77 108 107 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : State : January 1 :February 1 : March 1 : April 1 : May 1 : June 1 : : : : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 274 272 272 277 277 275 California ...: 510 520 500 475 450 435 Colorado .....: 940 950 920 950 940 910 Idaho ........: 215 210 205 205 205 195 Iowa .........: 620 660 670 670 660 640 Kansas .......: 2,010 2,050 2,060 2,090 2,010 2,020 Minnesota ....: 129 136 134 135 137 122 Nebraska .....: 2,370 2,430 2,470 2,470 2,460 2,380 Oklahoma .....: 260 265 270 275 255 265 South Dakota .: 225 220 220 225 220 210 Texas ........: 2,440 2,440 2,470 2,500 2,430 2,550 Washington ...: 195 200 200 200 190 180 : Other States .: 335 325 325 320 320 315 : United States : 10,523 10,678 10,716 10,792 10,554 10,497 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : July 1 : August 1 :September 1: October 1 :November 1 :December 1 : : : : : : :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 272 262 257 252 250 252 California ...: 435 420 415 415 420 435 Colorado .....: 850 790 780 820 880 910 Idaho ........: 180 175 170 195 210 220 Iowa .........: 620 600 580 560 590 620 Kansas .......: 1,900 1,900 1,950 2,010 2,080 2,100 Minnesota ....: 121 115 112 113 131 134 Nebraska .....: 2,240 2,140 2,110 2,230 2,440 2,530 Oklahoma .....: 255 240 245 245 260 260 South Dakota .: 195 175 175 180 220 235 Texas ........: 2,490 2,470 2,450 2,470 2,550 2,560 Washington ...: 175 170 180 190 215 225 : Other States .: 310 295 295 305 325 335 : United States : 10,043 9,752 9,719 9,985 10,571 10,816 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 28 31 28 30 26 24 California ...: 59 70 38 53 57 50 Colorado .....: 150 190 135 165 130 140 Idaho ........: 32 41 37 34 27 23 Iowa .........: 96 114 86 71 69 54 Kansas .......: 360 435 335 390 325 435 Minnesota ....: 19 18 11 18 16 8 Nebraska .....: 395 545 430 410 420 425 Oklahoma .....: 43 47 43 52 43 67 South Dakota .: 33 39 39 42 28 34 Texas ........: 370 405 410 470 420 580 Washington ...: 30 42 38 31 27 37 : Other States .: 39 37 28 35 35 32 : United States : 1,654 2,014 1,658 1,801 1,623 1,909 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 20 23 21 20 22 26 California ...: 45 39 40 43 53 62 Colorado .....: 95 90 145 200 210 155 Idaho ........: 26 37 33 64 61 43 Iowa .........: 54 56 63 99 132 127 Kansas .......: 315 400 410 400 420 320 Minnesota ....: 15 10 15 20 30 15 Nebraska .....: 385 375 425 530 660 475 Oklahoma .....: 37 32 50 55 60 45 South Dakota .: 31 20 35 50 84 53 Texas ........: 370 410 410 445 520 385 Washington ...: 40 36 44 43 62 49 : Other States .: 35 31 34 45 54 39 : United States : 1,468 1,559 1,725 2,014 2,368 1,794 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During December prior year State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 40 40 35 35 150 Kansas .......: 70 90 110 90 360 Nebraska .....: 80 90 95 130 395 Texas ........: 160 90 75 45 370 : Other States .: 125 100 74 80 379 : United States : 475 410 389 380 1,654 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 45 45 50 50 190 Kansas .......: 65 90 145 135 435 Nebraska .....: 75 115 165 190 545 Texas ........: 160 80 95 70 405 : Other States .: 125 105 104 105 439 : United States : 470 435 559 550 2,014 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 25 35 45 135 Kansas .......: 60 60 90 125 335 Nebraska .....: 65 90 105 170 430 Texas ........: 155 90 100 65 410 : Other States .: 80 65 88 115 348 : United States : 390 330 418 520 1,658 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During March State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 35 30 50 50 165 Kansas .......: 65 55 110 160 390 Nebraska .....: 55 65 105 185 410 Texas ........: 170 90 125 85 470 : Other States .: 100 50 76 140 366 : United States : 425 290 466 620 1,801 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During April :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 25 35 45 130 Kansas .......: 60 50 90 125 325 Nebraska .....: 65 65 95 195 420 Texas ........: 140 70 110 100 420 : Other States .: 90 40 63 135 328 : United States : 380 250 393 600 1,623 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During May :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 35 20 35 50 140 Kansas .......: 80 75 120 160 435 Nebraska .....: 55 55 95 220 425 Texas ........: 180 100 160 140 580 : Other States .: 85 40 64 140 329 : United States : 435 290 474 710 1,909 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During June State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 15 20 30 95 Kansas .......: 65 60 80 110 315 Nebraska .....: 55 50 90 190 385 Texas ........: 155 75 85 55 370 : Other States .: 100 45 53 105 303 : United States : 405 245 328 490 1,468 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During July :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 15 20 30 90 Kansas .......: 80 70 110 140 400 Nebraska .....: 55 50 85 185 375 Texas ........: 185 85 85 55 410 : Other States .: 80 40 54 110 284 : United States : 425 260 354 520 1,559 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During August :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 15 35 65 145 Kansas .......: 75 80 110 145 410 Nebraska .....: 55 50 95 225 425 Texas ........: 170 95 85 60 410 : Other States .: 80 45 70 140 335 : United States : 410 285 395 635 1,725 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During September State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 35 20 45 100 200 Kansas .......: 70 80 115 135 400 Nebraska .....: 75 75 95 285 530 Texas ........: 170 115 100 60 445 : Other States .: 110 60 79 190 439 : United States : 460 350 434 770 2,014 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During October :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 55 45 45 65 210 Kansas .......: 85 100 115 120 420 Nebraska .....: 170 165 95 230 660 Texas ........: 180 130 130 80 520 : Other States .: 205 130 78 145 558 : United States : 695 570 463 640 2,368 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During November :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 45 40 30 40 155 Kansas .......: 65 75 95 85 320 Nebraska .....: 120 115 85 155 475 Texas ........: 160 95 80 50 385 : Other States .: 165 110 79 105 459 : United States : 555 435 369 435 1,794 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 28 32 27 24 25 25 California ...: 52 58 55 70 67 60 Colorado .....: 150 170 155 130 130 145 Idaho ........: 36 45 41 33 26 32 Iowa .........: 84 71 74 69 76 70 Kansas .......: 385 385 315 345 385 400 Minnesota ....: 11 10 12 16 13 22 Nebraska .....: 420 470 375 395 415 485 Oklahoma .....: 45 40 36 46 62 55 South Dakota .: 30 41 36 35 30 41 Texas ........: 420 385 360 430 480 450 Washington ...: 37 35 36 29 36 45 : Other States .: 38 46 27 38 33 35 : United States : 1,736 1,788 1,549 1,660 1,778 1,865 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 22 26 25 24 21 19 California ...: 40 47 40 38 40 43 Colorado .....: 150 145 150 155 145 120 Idaho ........: 39 41 37 38 45 32 Iowa .........: 70 74 80 114 100 95 Kansas .......: 420 390 345 325 320 285 Minnesota ....: 15 15 17 18 11 11 Nebraska .....: 500 465 440 400 430 370 Oklahoma .....: 46 46 44 54 43 43 South Dakota .: 45 39 34 42 43 34 Texas ........: 420 415 415 410 420 360 Washington ...: 44 40 33 32 35 37 : Other States .: 36 44 32 33 32 26 : United States : 1,847 1,787 1,692 1,683 1,685 1,475 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 1 1 1 1 1 1 California ...: 2 2 3 8 15 5 Colorado .....: 10 10 10 5 10 25 Idaho ........: 1 1 1 1 1 1 Iowa .........: 2 3 2 2 3 4 Kansas .......: 15 10 10 15 20 25 Minnesota ....: 1 1 1 1 1 1 Nebraska .....: 15 15 15 15 15 20 Oklahoma .....: 3 2 2 1 1 2 South Dakota .: 3 3 3 2 3 3 Texas ........: 20 20 20 10 10 10 Washington ...: 3 2 2 2 1 2 : Other States .: 1 1 1 2 2 2 : United States : 77 71 71 65 83 101 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 1 7 1 1 3 5 California ...: 5 7 5 5 8 4 Colorado .....: 5 5 5 5 5 5 Idaho ........: 2 1 1 1 1 1 Iowa .........: 4 2 3 5 2 2 Kansas .......: 15 10 15 15 30 15 Minnesota ....: 1 1 1 1 1 1 Nebraska .....: 25 10 15 10 20 15 Oklahoma .....: 1 1 1 1 2 2 South Dakota .: 1 1 1 3 1 4 Texas ........: 10 15 15 15 20 15 Washington ...: 1 1 1 1 2 2 : Other States .: 4 2 2 2 2 3 : United States : 75 63 66 65 97 74 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2014 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Steers & steer calves : Heifers & heifer calves :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State :January 1: April 1 : July 1 :October 1:January 1: April 1 : July 1 :October 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 268 272 268 249 6 5 4 3 California ...: 470 435 390 365 40 40 45 50 Colorado .....: 610 630 550 520 330 320 300 300 Idaho ........: 125 120 100 110 90 85 80 85 Iowa .........: 425 490 430 430 195 180 190 130 Kansas .......: 1,060 1,130 970 1,050 950 960 930 960 Minnesota ....: 107 103 95 96 22 32 26 17 Nebraska .....: 1,550 1,690 1,470 1,460 820 780 770 770 Oklahoma .....: 170 180 170 165 90 95 85 80 South Dakota .: 135 135 115 102 90 90 80 78 Texas ........: 1,510 1,550 1,580 1,590 930 950 910 880 Washington ...: 120 125 100 110 75 75 75 80 : Other States .: 240 215 210 200 95 105 100 105 : United States : 6,790 7,075 6,448 6,447 3,733 3,717 3,595 3,538 Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2013 and 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 2013 : 2014 :------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cattle : : : Cattle Feedlot capacity : Lots :Inventory 1/ : marketed : Lots :Inventory 1/ : marketed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : number ----- 1,000 head ---- number ----- 1,000 head ---- : Less than 1,000 head .:72,000.0 2,426.3 3,260.0 72,000.0 2,399.0 3,000.0 : 1,000 head or more ...: 2,090.0 10,523.0 21,618.0 1,987.0 10,626.0 20,464.0 1,000 - 1,999 .....: 740.0 343.0 628.0 710.0 396.0 634.0 2,000 - 3,999 .....: 560.0 650.0 1,300.0 510.0 660.0 1,210.0 4,000 - 7,999 .....: 345.0 960.0 1,790.0 320.0 960.0 1,730.0 8,000 - 15,999 ....: 170.0 1,010.0 2,210.0 170.0 1,060.0 2,130.0 16,000 - 23,999 ...: 88.0 960.0 1,940.0 86.0 950.0 1,940.0 24,000 - 31,999 ...: 55.0 900.0 1,900.0 56.0 800.0 1,640.0 32,000 - 49,999 ...: 63.0 1,600.0 3,400.0 65.0 1,680.0 3,200.0 50,000 and Over ...: 69.0 4,100.0 8,450.0 70.0 4,120.0 7,980.0 : All feedlots .........:74,090.0 12,949.3 24,878.0 73,987.0 13,025.0 23,464.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Inventory estimates as of January 1 of the following year. Total Feedlot Capacity of 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 - 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feedlot capacity in number of head Item :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 1/ : 2011 1/ : 2012 1/ : 2013 1/ : 2014 1/ : 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : : United States ........: 16,900 17,100 17,100 17,100 17,000 16,900 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Revised Total Number of Cattle on Feed - States and United States: January 1, 2014 and 2015 [Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to producer a carcass that will grade select or better. Cattle and calves on feed are included in the cattle inventory estimates by classes.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 2014 : 2015 : Pecent of : : : previous year ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head percent : : Arizona ................................: 274.0 252.0 92 California .............................: 510.0 425.0 83 Colorado ...............................: 960.0 930.0 97 Idaho ..................................: 235.0 245.0 104 Illinois ...............................: 260.0 230.0 88 Indiana ................................: 110.0 100.0 91 Iowa ...................................: 1,230.0 1,220.0 99 Kansas .................................: 2,130.0 2,180.0 102 Kentucky ...............................: 18.0 15.0 83 Maryland ...............................: 10.0 10.0 100 : Michigan ...............................: 150.0 160.0 107 Minnesota ..............................: 375.0 385.0 103 Missouri ...............................: 75.0 70.0 93 Montana ................................: 54.0 40.0 74 Nebraska ...............................: 2,420.0 2,530.0 105 Nevada .................................: 4.0 4.0 100 New York ...............................: 23.0 26.0 113 North Dakota ...........................: 38.0 44.0 116 Ohio ...................................: 160.0 170.0 106 Oklahoma ...............................: 265.0 265.0 100 : Oregon .................................: 75.0 85.0 113 Pennsylvania ...........................: 110.0 90.0 82 South Dakota ...........................: 375.0 385.0 103 Tennessee ..............................: 3.0 5.0 167 Texas ..................................: 2,450.0 2,510.0 102 Utah ...................................: 26.0 24.0 92 Virginia ...............................: 20.0 20.0 100 Washington .............................: 195.0 210.0 108 West Virginia ..........................: 5.0 4.0 80 Wisconsin ..............................: 260.0 260.0 100 : Wyoming ................................: 75.0 75.0 100 : Other States 1/ ........................: 54.3 56.0 103 : United States ..........................: 12,949.3 13,025.0 101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates Number of feedlots is the number of lots operating at the end of the year with inventory of cattle on feed. Cattle on feed are animals 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 cattle 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 cattle 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. Reliability of Cattle on Feed Estimates 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 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 each State office. 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 0.6 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 10.7 million head by more than 0.6 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 1.0 percent. The table on this 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 56,000 head, ranging from 0 to 97,000 head. During this period the initial estimate has been above the latest estimate 21 times and has been below the latest estimate 2 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 ...............: 0.6 1.0 56 0 97 2 21 : Placements ...................: 1.3 2.2 15 1 55 9 15 : Marketings ...................: 1.0 1.8 11 0 47 0 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240 Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106 Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Evan Schulz - Sheep and Goats ................ (202) 720-6147 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: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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