October Cattle on Feed

Last Friday's monthly USDA Cattle on Feed report didn't bring any surprises to most analysts for the month of October. USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam shares some of the national numbers.

Shagam: "When we look at the number of cattle on feed on November first, it was just under 10.6 million head, which is about 1 percent below a year ago. Feedlots placed about 2.2 million head during October which was 5 percent below a year ago. And feedlots marketed 1.7 million head of cattle, which 5 percent above a year ago."

In Idaho, the number of cattle on feed was 250,000 head, which 4 percent higher than the previous month and up 9 percent from a year ago. An estimated 50,000 head were placed on feed a decrease of 14 percent from the previous month and 14 percent lower than a year ago.

In Washington, the number of cattle on feed was at 195,000 head which was 5 percent higher than the previous month but 5 percent lower than a year ago. An estimated 50,000 head were placed on feed up 25 percent from the previous month, and the same as a year ago.

In Colorado, the number of cattle on feed in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or greater was estimated at 910,000 head as of October first. That was 7 percent above the previous month's inventory, and 3 percent above a year ago. Placements were 205,000 head which was 8 percent lower than the previous month, but 5 percent higher than a year ago.