Angus cattle in a feedlotUSDA data indicate the number of cattle on feed in the U.S. on May 1 was lower than last year. On feedlots with 1,000 or more head, there were 11.4 million cattle. This is a 2% decrease from last year.

Feedlot placements were 1.61 million head in April. This represents a 3% decline.

Cattle placements included:

  • 310,000 head weighing less than 600 pounds
  • 225,000 head weighing 600 to 699 pounds
  • 370,000 head weighing 700 to 799 pounds
  • 443,000 head weighing 800 to 899 pounds
  • 195,000 head weighing 900 to 999 pounds
  • 70,000 head weighing 1,000 pounds or more

April marketings were reported at 1.83 million head. This is a 3% decrease from the same month in 2024.

The USDA also reported that frozen meat supplies fell 6% year-over-year in April. Beef in cold storage fell 2%, pork supplies decreased 9% and pork belly inventories plunged 22%.

Read more about cattle on feed and meat in cold storage here.