February cattle placements drop on the year

The USDA says the placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots fell sharply in February.

1.554 million cattle were placed onto feed in February, a drop of 18% on the year.

That was despite the U.S. reopening the border to imports of live cattle from Mexico after a pause following the discovery of New World screwworm. Those imports did resume in February, but have been slow to ramp up to the speed of recent years.

1.633 million cattle were marketed in February, a decline of 9%, with winter weather impacting movement in the major feeding areas, with 11.577 million cattle on feed in the U.S. on March 1st, a decrease of 2%.

The numbers were close to average pre-report estimates, imply tighter supplies of cattle in the coming months and could be seen as supportive to prices, but that will also depend on sustained domestic and export demand.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Iowa: On Feed: 670,000 head, up 3% from March 1st, 2024; Placements: 94,000 head, 20% lower than February 2024; Marketings: 93,000 head, 12% less than last year

Kansas: On Feed: 2.32 million head, down 3% from March 1st, 2024; Placements: 360,000 head, 22% lower than February 2024; Marketings: 400,000 head, 9% less than last year