Cattle Placements Rise 6% During April

By John Perkins

Brownfield

The USDA says 1.702 million cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots during April.

That was up 6% on the year and towards the high end of pre-report estimates, at least somewhat because of persistent drought conditions in many of the major feeding areas.

Nebraska and Arizona were the only states showing a year-over-year decline.

The tight supply of ready numbers pulled marketings 10% lower than last year at 1.642 million head, while the total number of cattle on feed on May 1st was 2% higher than a year ago at 11.584 million head.

That increase in placements would normally be considered bearish, but market ready numbers remain tight, limiting some of that impact.

The USDA’s next round of cattle on feed numbers is out June 18th.

Comparison for Brownfield states:

Iowa: On Feed: 680,000 head, unchanged from May 1st, 2025; Placements: 89,000 head, 2% higher than April 2025; Marketings: 97,000 head, 13% more than last year

Kansas: On Feed: 2.37 million head, up 3% from May 1st, 2025; Placements: 400,000 head, 5% higher than April 2025; Marketings: 380,000 head, 10% less than last year

Nebraska: On Feed: 2.64 million head, up 4% from May 1st, 2025; Placements: 435,000 head, 2% lower than April 2025; Marketings: 425,000 head, 12% less than last year

South Dakota: On Feed: 245,000 head, up 4% from May 1st, 2025; Placements: 31,000 head, 7% higher than April 2025; Marketings: 30,000 head, 9% less than last year