WASHINGTON (RFD NEWS) — The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market reached 11.2 million head on Sept. 1, up 1% from a year ago, according to USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report, released on Sept. 18.
Placements during August totaled 1.62 million head, down 9 percent from 2025 and the lowest August placement total since the series began in 1996.
Net placements totaled 1.57 million head.
August marketings totaled 1.52 million head, down 3 percent from a year ago and also the lowest for August since the series began in 1996.
Other disappearances, which include cattle removed from feedlots for reasons other than marketing, totaled 52,000 head, up 2 percent from August 2025.
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