The number of cattle in large U.S. feedlots on Jan. 1 at 11.8 million head was down 107,000 and 0.9% from a year earlier.

Of the largest feedlot states, Texas and Kansas were each down 80,000 head year over year. Nebraska and Colorado each increased headcount by 20,000 and 30,000, respectively, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

January feedlot numbers were down 193,000 from December.

December was likely the seasonal peak in feedlot numbers this winter, said Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist with Oklahoma State University.

Cattle on feed numbers were down 5,000 head in Idaho to 330,000. They were also down 15,000 head in Washington to 270,000.

Fewer placements

Cattle placed into feedlots during December were down 3.3% year over year to 1.6 million.

Texas placements were down 75,000 head year over year. Placements in Nebraska were up 25,000, and Kansas placements were up 15,000 head. Placements in Colorado held steady with year-earlier numbers.

“Placements for December were lower than expected and outside the range of pre-report estimates,” Peel said in this week’s Cow-Calf Corner newsletter.

Placements in Idaho were down 4,000 head year over year to 45,000. Placements in Washington were down 7,000 head to 31,000.

Total placements for 2024 were down 1.6% from 2023, Peel said.

Finished cattle

Marketings of finished cattle in December were up 18,000 head and 1% year over year to 1.7 million — with one extra marketing day versus 2023.

Texas marketings were down 20,000 head year over year. Marketing increased 25,000 head in Nebraska, 15,000 head in Kansas and 5,000 head in Colorado.

Marketings in Idaho were down 1,000 head year over year to 39,000. Marketings in Washington were down 2,000 head to 35,000.

Total feedlot marketings in 2024 were down 0.2% from 2023, Peel said.

“Even with fewer placements, the reduced turnover rate resulting from increased days on feed allowed feedlots to hold average monthly inventories about equal to the previous year,” he said.

Fewer heifers

The cattle on feed report also included the quarterly breakdown on steers and heifers in feedlots. Steers on feed were up 0.7% year over year to 7.2 million head. Heifers on feed were down 3.4% year over year to 4.6 million head.

Heifers accounted for 38.7% of feedlot inventories on Jan. 1, compared with 39.7% of Oct. 1.

“While the decrease in heifers on feed is welcome from the perspective of potential herd rebuilding … the decrease is not yet enough to suggest a sustained downtrend in heifer feeding,” Peel said.

USDA’s annual cattle inventory report — which gives a more detailed picture of the cattle supply, including dairy cattle — is scheduled for release on Jan. 31.