U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent as July Placements Hit Record Low

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on August 1, 2026. The inventory was 2 percent above August 1, 2025.

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.42 million head, 11 percent below 2025. Net placements were 1.37 million head. Placements were the lowest for July since the series began in 1996.

During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 310,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 215,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 320,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 322,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 185,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 70,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.62 million head, 7 percent below 2025. Marketings were the lowest for July since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head during July, 8 percent above 2025.

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