November's Cattle on Feed

Last week’s monthly USDA Cattle on Feed report didn’t bring any surprises to most analysts for the month of November. USDA economist Seanicaa Herron shares some of the national numbers.
Herron: “Total number of head of cattle on feed December first on feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more was 10.6 million head, approximately 1 percent below a year earlier. The total number of animals placed on feed during November was 1.8 million head, approximately 15 percent above a year ago levels. The total number of cattle marketed during November was 1.7 million head, approximately 17 percent above year ago levels, however there was an extra marketing day during November of this year.”
In Idaho, the number of cattle on feed was 260,000 head, which 4 percent higher than the previous month and up 11 percent from a year ago. An estimated 51,000 head were placed on feed an increase of 2 percent from the previous month and 21 percent higher than a year ago.
In Washington, the number of cattle on feed was at 195,000 head which was the same as the previous month but 5 percent lower than a year ago. An estimated 41,000 head were placed on feed down 18 percent from the previous month, and 5 percent lower than a year ago.
In Colorado, the number of cattle on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or greater was estimated at 910,000 head as of November first. That was the same as the previous month’s inventory, and 2 percent above a year ago. Placements were 140,000 head which was 32 percent lower than the previous month, and the same as a year ago.