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
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
January 15, 2026 01:36 PM
·
NEFB President Mark McHargue recaps the Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention, producer sentiment in Nebraska, and discusses key issues facing agriculture.
January 15, 2026 01:17 PM
·
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
January 15, 2026 12:51 PM
·
House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
January 15, 2026 12:30 PM
·
From “right to repair” to investigations into the “Big Four” meatpackers, antitrust issues were a major legal topic in 2025 and promise to have a long-term impact on the agriculture industry in the future.
January 15, 2026 12:05 PM
·
Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
January 15, 2026 11:47 AM
·
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
·
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
·
