U.S. Cattle on Feed Down 4 Percent
U.S - This Cattle On Feed report by USDA NASS, contains the monthly total number of cattle and calves on feed, placements, marketings, and other disappearances; by class and feedlot capacity for selected states; number of feedlots and fed cattle marketings by size groups for selected states.
26 March 2007
3 minute read
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on March 1, 2007. The inventory was 4 percent below March 1, 2006 but 4 percent above March 1, 2005.
Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.66 million, 4 percent above 2006 and 9 percent above 2005. Net placements were 1.58 million. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 325,000, 600-699 pounds were 334,000, 700-799 pounds were 505,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 495,000.
Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.71 million, 7 percent above 2006 and 5 percent above 2005.
Other disappearance totaled 75,000 during February, 3 percent above 2006 but 3 percent below 2005.
Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates
Cattle on feed are animals being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement in another feedlot.
Placements are cattle put into a feedlot, fed a ration which will produce a carcass that will grade select or better, and are intended for the slaughter market.
Marketings are cattle shipped out of feedlots to a slaughter market.
Other disappearance includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding.
Reliability of Cattle on Feed Estimates
Survey Procedures: During January and July all known feedlots in the U.S. with capacity of 1,000 or more head are surveyed to provide data for cattle on feed estimates. During the other months, all known feedlots from 17 States are surveyed. The 17 States account for 98 percent of the cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head.
Estimating Procedures: These cattle on feed estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing recommendations and analysis submitted by each State office. Regional and State survey data were reviewed for reasonableness with each other and with estimates from the previous month when setting the current estimates.
Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve month to month relationships. Estimates for the previous month are subject to revision in all States each month when current estimates are made. In February, all monthly estimates for the previous year, and the number of feedlots and annual marketings from two years ago are reviewed and subject to revisions. The reviews are primarily based on slaughter data, state check-off or brand data, and any other data that may have been received after the original estimate was made. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date and estimates become final.
Reliability: Since all 1,000+ capacity cattle on feed operators in every State are not included in the monthly survey, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness.
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