USDA Cattle on Feed Report Preview

Higher Cattle Marketings Expected in Jan. 1 Cattle on Feed Report

The biggest change in Friday's USDA Cattle on Feed report could be in the marketing category. It's expected that the number of cattle marketed in December was anywhere from steady to 2.5% greater than a year ago.

USDA released its March 1 Cattle on Feed report on March 20. (DTN/Progressive Farmer file photo)

USDA released its March 1 Cattle on Feed report on March 20. (DTN/Progressive Farmer file photo)

OMAHA (DTN) — Friday’s USDA Jan. 1 Cattle on Feed report is expected to be similar to those in recent months. But the biggest change that could potentially show in Friday’s data is, oddly enough, in the marketing category.

It’s expected that the number of cattle marketed in December was anywhere from steady to 2.5% greater than a year ago. That bodes well for feedlots, as they desire to see the fed cash cattle market trade higher into this spring and summer.

Overall, it’s not expected that Friday’s report will unveil anything too wild that will significantly affect the market one way or another.

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USDA will release its Jan. 1 Cattle on Feed report at 2 p.m. CST on Friday.

USDA ActualAverage Estimate*Range
On Feed Jan. 196.8%96.0-97.6%
Placed in December92.7%88.0-95.4%
Marketed in December101.7%100.0-102.5%
* Estimates compiled by Dow Jones.

ShayLe Stewart can be reached at ShayLe.Stewart@dtn.com

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