NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States totaled 11.5 million on February 1, 2026, marking a two percent decline from the same date in 2025, according to the February report (PDF Version) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
January Feedlot Activity
Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.74 million head, 5 percent below 2025 levels.
Net placements were 1.68 million head. Breaking down placements by weight category:
- Less than 600 pounds: 360,000 head
- 600–699 pounds: 365,000 head
- 700–799 pounds: 455,000 head
- 800–899 pounds: 381,000 head
- 900–999 pounds: 105,000 head
- 1,000 pounds and greater: 70,000 head
Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.63 million head, a 13 percent drop from the previous year.
Other disappearances, which include death loss and movements to other states, totaled 55,000 head, 8 percent below January 2025.
Annual Size Group Trends
Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 82.7 percent of all cattle on feed in the U.S. on January 1, 2026, slightly up from 82.5 percent in 2025. Marketings of fed cattle from these larger feedlots during 2025 accounted for 87.1 percent of total U.S. feedlot cattle marketed, a slight decrease from 87.2 percent in 2024.
These numbers reflect ongoing tightness in the U.S. cattle supply and could continue to influence beef prices in 2026.
The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.
November 21, 2025 02:13 PM
·
Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
November 21, 2025 02:09 PM
·
Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
November 21, 2025 01:19 PM
·
Lower tariff rates and new rail-service proposals may improve corn movement efficiency during early-season marketing.
November 21, 2025 12:01 PM
·
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
November 21, 2025 11:58 AM
·
Early Cattle-on-Feed estimates point to slightly tighter cattle supplies, reinforcing the need to monitor prices and timing for winter marketing.
November 21, 2025 10:45 AM
·
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.
November 21, 2025 10:30 AM
·
CattleCon 2026 kicks off February 3 in Nashville. Kristin Torres with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association joined RFD-TV to share more about what’s ahead at this year’s event.
November 20, 2025 01:32 PM
·
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.
November 19, 2025 04:11 PM
·
