(Omaha) The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in U.S. feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on April 1, 2025, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This figure is 2% lower than the same date a year ago.
The inventory included 7.26 million steers and steer calves, nearly unchanged from 2024, representing 62% of the total. Heifers and heifer calves made up the remaining 4.38 million head, a 4% decline from the previous year.
Placements in feedlots during March reached 1.84 million head, 5% higher than March 2024. Net placements totaled 1.79 million.
By weight category, March placements included:
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335,000 head under 600 pounds
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285,000 head between 600-699 pounds
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475,000 head between 700-799 pounds
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506,000 head between 800-899 pounds
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175,000 head between 900-999 pounds
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65,000 head at 1,000 pounds and over
Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.73 million head, a 1% increase from a year ago. Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head, down 4% from March 2024.
