Page 6 - MWC 10-6-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · October 6, 2022 · P6
By Derrell Peel
Feedlot Production and Cattle Slaughter Oklahoma State University

The latest USDA Cattle on seasonally in the fall but the last year but the percentage slaughter
Feed report shows the Sep- increase this year is expected of those cattle that were over for the year
tember 1 feedlot inventory to be less than the record lev- 600 pounds has been much to date is
was 11.279 million head, 100.4 els last year. August place- less than normal. There are offset by a
percent of last year. Feedlot ments in the cattle on feed certainly indications that 4.9 percent
inventories typically reach a report continued the trend of more feeder cattle have been increase in heifer slaughter.
seasonal low in August or Sep- recent months of large place- marketed earlier and lighter Total cow slaughter is up 5.6
tember with the low occurring ments of lightweight cattle weight than usual. The fall percent so far this year, driven
in August in four of the last with fewer heavy placements. run of calves in October and by a 13.4 percent increase year
ten years and six times in Sep- August placements were 100.4 November should be notice- over year in beef cow slaugh-
tember. The September 2022 percent of last year. ably reduced this year. ter.
inventory was up 0.5 percent In the past four months, Marketings from feedlots in Total cattle slaughter is
from August, indicating that from May – August, total August were 106.4 percent of up 1.8 percent year over year
August was the low this year. placements were down 0.6 last year. There was one more thus far in 2022, with female
The August low was 975,000 percent year over year with business day in August com- (cow plus heifer slaughter)
head lower, down 8.0 percent, placements under 700 pounds pared to one year ago which ac- accounting for 50.9 percent of
than the record on-feed inven- up 5.3 percent and place- counts for part of the increase total cattle this year. Cattle
tory in February 2022. ments over 700 pounds down but daily average marketings slaughter and beef production
Feedlot inventories grow 3.7 percent compared to last were higher by 1.7 percent are projected to decrease year
year. Past placements of year over year. In the last four over year in the fourth quar-
lightweight cattle suggest months, total marketings have ter but higher than expected
fewer cattle available for been up by 1.7 percent over the beef production in the first
placement going forward. same period last year. three quarters of the year like-
The feedlot placement Both feedlot inventories and ly mean that annual totals for
patterns this year are cattle slaughter have remained beef production will be steady
consistent with feeder stubbornly high this year due or fractionally higher year
cattle marketing data. In to drought forced movement of over year. Feedlot production,
Oklahoma, since July 1, cattle out of the country. Total cattle slaughter and beef pro-
the combined auction vol- fed cattle slaughter thus far in duction are all expected to de-
ume of feeder cattle has 2022 is up 0.8 percent as the crease sharply in 2023.
been 17.5 percent above 1.7 percent decrease in steer

CONVENTION.NCBA.ORG

CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION
& NCBA TRADE SHOW

FEBRUARY 1-3, 2023 TEXT BEEF TO

877-319-2142

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA