LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD-TV) — Feedlot inventories continue to tighten, as expected, according to December’s Cattle on Feed Report (PDF Version) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which delivered no surprises, with all key figures landing squarely within trade expectations. Cattle and calves on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totaled 11.7 million head on December 1, down 2 percent from a year earlier.
Placements during November fell sharply to 1.60 million head, 11 percent below last year and the lowest November placements on record, reflecting limited feeder supplies and high prices. Marketings also declined 12 percent from a year ago, marking the second-lowest November total since records began, reinforcing the picture of tight fed cattle availability moving into early 2026.
By state, Nebraska remained the largest feeding state with 2.67 million head on feed, followed by Texas at 2.61 million head and Kansas at 2.44 million head. Texas inventories were down 9 percent from a year earlier, a decline exacerbated by the ongoing closure of the Mexican border to feeder cattle due to concerns over New World screwworm, further restricting placements.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Tight feeder supplies and lower placements point to continued cattle market support, with regional impacts heightened in Texas by reduced feeder imports.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
RanchHer celebrated the invaluable contributions women leading the beef industry at their panel, “Your Path to Becoming a RanchHer,” Friday at NCBA CattleCon.
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“Where The Food Comes From” visits M&B Products, a milk bottling plant in Temple Terrace, FL (a suburb of Tampa) with its farm in Lecanto, operated by the McClellan family. Get ready for a lesson in everything from milk bottling, to dairy nutrition, and bovine reproduction!
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Would you believe it’s possible to have a dairy barn where all you smell is clean fresh country air? Leon McLellan of M&B Products in Temple Terrace, FL shows us how!
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If chocolate milke doesn’t come from brown cows (and strawberry milk certainly doesn’t come from pink ones), then where does it come from? Get the scoop!
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At Florida dairy operation M&B Products, we learn about bottling milk, lactose intolerance, and so much more!
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As we start the new year, let’s take a look at some of the legislative items from 2023 affecting agriculture that will continue to play out in the political area for months to come.
January 02, 2024 12:00 PM
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December 14, 2023 05:22 PM
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November 10, 2023 02:32 PM
The State of Louisiana is known as a major wintering location for North American waterfowl. However, a new visitor — a species of Whistling Ducks hailing from South America — may pose a problem to native species.
November 09, 2023 01:52 PM
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