USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report showed 11.1 million head in U.S. feedlots as of Sept. 1, 2025, down 1% from a year earlier.
Placements in August totaled 1.78 million head, 10% below 2024, with no weight class showing gains over last year. Marketings came in at 1.57 million head, 14% below 2024, marking the lowest August level since records began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 51,000 head, 6% below the prior year.
Only Arizona and Washington posted year-over-year placement increases, while every other state saw declines. Officials noted the figures underscore the bigger picture: the U.S. beef cow herd is at multidecade lows, and with Mexican cattle imports still shut out, supplies remain tight. This combination could provide ongoing support to cattle markets moving forward.
Photo Credit: The USDA
Comments