USDA on Friday said the number of cattle on feed as of April 1 fell 1% from a year earlier, while placements in March fell 7% and marketings dropped 6% from the same period in 2025.
| Cattle on Feed Report | USDA % of Year Ago | Average Estimate % of Year Ago* |
| Cattle on Feed (April 1) | 99 | 99.5 |
| Placements (March) | 93 | 92.9 |
| Marketings (March) | 94 | 93.8 |
*Estimates compiled by Reuters
The figures were largely in line with analyst expectations. A survey by Reuters had produced an average estimate for cattle on feed to fall 0.5% from last year, while placements were seen down 7.1% and marketings down 6.2%.
USDA said cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on April 1, 2026. The inventory included 7.26 million steers and steer calves, down slightly from the previous year and accounting for 63% of the total inventory.
Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.32 million head, down 1% from 2025 and 37% of total inventory, indicating modest heifer retention continues.
Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.71 million head. Net placements were 1.66 million head. USDA said placements were the second lowest for March since the series began in 1996. Breaking down by weight, USDA said placements were:
Under 600 pounds, 20,000 head;
600-699 pounds, 250,000 head;
700-799 pounds, 435,000 head;
800-899 pounds, 474,000 head;
900-999 pounds, 170,000 head;
1,000 pounds and over, 60,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.63 million head. USDA said markets were also the second lowest for March since the series began in 1996.