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September cattle placements below a year ago

The USDA says fewer cattle entered U.S. feedlots in September 2024 than September 2023.

Placements were 2.156 million head, a decrease of 2% on the year, despite expanding drought conditions in many major feeding areas and declining feed costs.

A big chunk of those placements weighed between 700 and 900 pounds, which will head to market starting early next year, but a significant number weighed less than 600 pounds, which could have an impact on marketing numbers by late winter or early spring.

September marketings were up 2% from last year at 1.698 million head and the total number of cattle on feed in the U.S. on October 1st was down slightly at 11.6 million head.

That on feed total included 7 million steers and steer calves, 1% above a year ago, while the number of heifers and heifer calves on feed was 1% lower at 4.6 million head.

The numbers are close to expectations and look largely neutral over the near term for prices, which are heavily dependent on market-ready supplies and demand.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Iowa: On Feed: 660,000 head, up 2% from October 1st, 2023; Placements: 72,000 head, 8% lower than September of last year; Marketings: 71,000 head, 6% above a year ago

Kansas: On Feed: 2.37 million head, down 5% from October 1st, 2023; Placements: 505,000 head, unchanged from September of last year; Marketings: 405,000 head, steady with a year ago

Minnesota: On Feed: 100,000 head, up 5% from October 1st, 2023; Placements: 16,000 head, 14% higher than September of last year; Marketings: 10,000 head, 23% below a year ago

Nebraska: On Feed: 2.47 million head, up 2% from October 1st, 2023; Placements: 610,000 head, unchanged from September of last year; Marketings: 450,000 head, steady with a year ago

South Dakota: On Feed: 195,000 head, up 5% from October 1st, 2023; Placements: 47,000 head, 4% lower than September of last year; Marketings: 36,000 head, 9% above a year ago

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