| Cattle on Feed Report | USDA (% of year-ago) | Estimate (% of year-ago) |
| On feed on Nov. 1 | 98% | 97.9% |
| Placements in October | 90% | 92.2% |
| Marketings in October | 92% | 92.5% |
The Cattle on Feed Report on Friday showed cattle and calves on feed on large feedlots (greater than 1,000 head) totaled 11.7 million head on Nov. 1, down 2% from year-ago.
Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.04 million head, down 10% from 2024. Net placements were 1.99 million head. Placements were the lowest for October since the series began in 1996, USDA said. During October, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 515,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 420,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 445,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 384,000 head. 900-999 pounds were 195,000 head and 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle in October totaled 1.7 million head, 8% below year-ago. Other disappearances totaled 54,000 head, 2% below a year-ago.
Total cattle on feed was in line with the average analyst estimate of 97.9%, produced by a Wall Street Journal survey of analysts (see table at top of article). Placements at 90% of the year-ago level were below the average estimate of 92.2%. Marketings were 92% of a year ago versus an estimate of 92.5%.
Due to the government shutdown, the report was the first tally of cattle on feed since Sept. 19.