Larger placements likely in the upcoming Cattle on Feed report

Friday, Dec. 22 brings the next USDA Cattle on Feed report. The last few months delivered large levels of marketings and placements, and growing numbers of cattle on feed. Good retail beef demand and good demand for live cattle from profitable packers has pulled cattle ahead through feedlots and that continued by pulling feeder cattle ahead into feedlots. The December cattle on feed report should bring more of the same. Marketings should be around 3.3 percent more than a year ago. That would be the largest November marketings since the Cattle on Feed report began in its current form. There is some evidence that marketings are beginning to slow from the fast pace seen earlier in the year. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s David Anderson talks to Drovers about the upcoming COF report. Read more…