WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The January Cattle-on-Feed Report (PDF Version) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reinforced a tightening cattle supply picture, with on-feed inventories and placements running slightly stronger than pre-report expectations, while marketings also topped estimates. The combination keeps attention on shrinking feeder supplies and the pace of marketing as 2026 gets underway.
Cattle on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totaled 11.5 million head on January 1, down 3 percent from a year earlier. That translated to 97 percent of last year, above the average trade guess of 96.8 percent. The inventory included 7.02 million steers and steer calves and 4.44 million heifers and heifer calves, both down 3 percent year over year, with steers making up 61 percent of total cattle on feed.
December placements totaled 1.55 million head, or 95 percent of last year’s total, which was higher than the average trade estimate of 93.5 percent. Placements were spread across weight categories, led by cattle under 800 pounds, but the year-over-year decline continues to signal limited feeder availability. Marketings totaled 1.77 million head, or 102 percent of last year, also above the average trade guess of 101.5 percent, pointing to steady pull-through from feedyards.
State-level inventories showed a shifting regional balance among the biggest feeding states. Nebraska remained the top cattle feeding state, up 2 percent year over year, while Texas ranked second but was down 9 percent. Kansas was flat from a year earlier, holding steady as overall U.S. on-feed numbers declined.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Crop insurance remains a vital tool for managing climate-driven risk.
October 07, 2025 03:07 PM
·
Expect firm demand for dependable HRS and SW, steady movement in HRW, more sorting on SRW, and selective bids on durum until full milling results are released.
October 07, 2025 03:02 PM
·
Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Economist with the Indiana Farm Bureau, shares a snapshot of his state’s harvest conditions and insights from producers.
October 07, 2025 02:37 PM
·
Market analyst Kevin Huddleston said news of trade deals could rebound cotton prices in late fall, and producers need to be ready to strike deals.
October 07, 2025 02:05 PM
·
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, joined us to break down the latest data on Canadian farmland values and share insights on how it impacts producers.
October 07, 2025 01:14 PM
·
Lewis Williamson, from HTS Commodities, joined us to share insights on the farm economy from producers in the field.
October 07, 2025 12:47 PM
·
Key signs of the U.S. beef herd’s recovery are improved pasture conditions, lower feed costs, and increased regulatory alignment and support for producers to implement targeted grazing practices.
October 07, 2025 12:35 PM
·
Dr. Mark Svoboda with the National Drought Mitigation Center discusses a new global drought report and resources to help operations increase drought resilience.
October 07, 2025 11:58 AM
·
Treat financial stress as a health risk—know the warning signs, normalize conversations, and connect farm families to local and national support early.
October 07, 2025 11:29 AM
·
