November cattle placements fall 4% on year

The USDA says placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots during November were down on the year.

The total of 1.796 million head was 4% below November 2023, partially due to a tighter calf supply because of more aggressive placements earlier in the year.

The late-month restrictions on cattle imports from Mexico because of the detection of New World screwworm were also a factor and will continue to have an impact on placements in the coming months.

Cattle marketings during November were 1% lower than last year at 1.725 million, while the total number of cattle on feed in the U.S. on December 1st was slightly less than a year ago at 11.982 million head.

The numbers look supportive for cash and futures prices, but that could be blunted by slow holiday trade.

The USDA is scheduled to release updated cattle inventory numbers January 31st.

Comparisons for Brownfield states: