U.S. cattle on feed inventory remains above last year despite historically low July placements
WASHINGTON — The number of cattle in large U.S. feedlots remained above year-ago levels at the beginning of August, but a sharp decline in new placements provides another sign of tightening cattle supplies ahead.
USDA reported 11.1 million cattle and calves on feed Aug. 1 in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 head or more. That’s 2% higher than Aug. 1, 2025.
The bigger story may be what’s coming into those feedlots.
July Placements Drop 11%
Feedlot placements during July totaled 1.42 million head, down 11% from a year earlier. Net placements totaled 1.37 million head.
July’s placement total was the lowest for the month since USDA’s current data series began in 1996.
The largest placement categories were cattle weighing 800 to 899 pounds at 322,000 head and cattle weighing 700 to 799 pounds at 320,000.
Another 310,000 head weighing less than 600 pounds entered feedlots during the month.
The decline in placements comes as the cattle industry continues dealing with a historically small U.S. herd and limited supplies of calves available to move through the production system.
Fed Cattle Marketings Also Hit July Low
Feedlots marketed 1.62 million fed cattle during July, a decline of 7% from July 2025.
That was also the lowest July marketing total since the current series began nearly three decades ago.
The combination of fewer placements and slower marketings illustrates the unusual supply situation facing the cattle industry. Feedlot inventories remain relatively large, but fewer cattle are entering the pipeline behind them.
Nebraska Leads Monthly Inventory Decline
The number of cattle on feed also dropped significantly between July and August.
National inventory declined by approximately 253,000 head, falling from 11.37 million on July 1 to 11.12 million on Aug. 1.
Nebraska recorded the largest decline among reported states, dropping 70,000 head during the month.
Texas inventories fell by 50,000 head, while Kansas declined by 40,000 head.
Arizona was the exception, adding approximately 2,000 head to reach 217,000 cattle on feed.
The latest numbers add to evidence that cattle supplies farther down the pipeline could remain tight. With July placements at a record low for the month, fewer cattle will be available for feedlot marketings as those animals move toward slaughter weight in the months ahead.