Chicago | Reuters — U.S. feedlots brought in 18 per cent more cattle in December than the year-earlier month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday, which topped forecasts and reached a six-year high for that month. Higher prices for slaughter-ready, or cash, cattle last month improved profit for feedlots. That allowed them to […] Read more

U.S. December feedlot cattle placements hit six-year high

U.S. October feedlot cattle placements hit four-year low
Chicago | Reuters –– U.S. feedlots in October received five per cent fewer cattle than a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday, a four-year low for that month that was in line with average trade predictions. Ranchers grew cattle outside of feedlots longer thanks to still healthy grazing pastures in parts of […] Read more

April U.S. cattle placed in feedlots at three-year high
Chicago | Reuters –– The number of cattle placed into U.S. feedlots in April jumped seven per cent from a year earlier, according to a government report on Friday, far exceeding most analysts’ forecasts. Feedlots were still operating at a loss, analysts said. But lower prices for young calves allowed feedlots to buy more of […] Read more

Sept. U.S. feedlot cattle placements near 20-year low
Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle moved into U.S. feedlots in September fell to its lowest since the government began compiling the data in 1996, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed on Friday. Last month’s placement results were nearly in line with analysts’ forecasts, mostly based on the fall in prices for […] Read more

Fewer cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in May than anticipated
Chicago | Reuters –– The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots last month was lower than anticipated, a government report showed on Friday, reflecting healthy pastures that allowed ranchers to grow livestock longer outside of feedyards, said analysts. Producers retained more heifers to help restore the U.S. cattle herd, now at its third lowest […] Read more
December U.S. cattle placements slowed more than anticipated
Chicago | Reuters — The number of cattle placed in U.S. feedlots in December 2014 fell versus last year, a government report showed on Friday, but more than was expected, said analysts. They said feedyards bought fewer calves for fattening, noting that expensive feed and pricey calves wore down margins. Ranchers held back heifers to […] Read more