Mt An 2-1 (4-08) Cattle On Feed National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 18, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cattle on Feed" call Mike Miller at (202) 720-3040, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. U.S. Cattle on Feed Up Slightly Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on April 1, 2008. The inventory was slightly above April 1, 2007 but 1 percent below April 1, 2006. This is the second highest April 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. The inventory included 7.35 million steers and steer calves, down 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 63 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.28 million head, up 3 percent from 2007. Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.74 million, 11 percent below 2007 and 5 percent below 2006. Net placements were 1.67 million head. This is the second lowest placements for the month of March since the series began in 1996. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 335,000, 600-699 pounds were 330,000, 700-799 pounds were 561,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 510,000. Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.84 million, slightly below 2007 and 6 percent below 2006. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 during March, 12 percent below 2007 and 30 percent below 2006. Cattle on Feed: Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, United States, April 1, 2006-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : 2008 as % of Item :------------------------------------------ : 2006 : 2007 : 2008 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Head ------ Percent : On Feed Mar 1 1/ : 12,023 11,599 11,853 99 102 Placed on Feed During Mar : 1,837 1,960 1,736 95 89 Fed Cattle Marketed During Mar : 1,958 1,843 1,842 94 100 Other Disappearance During Mar 2/ : 90 72 63 70 88 On Feed Apr 1 : 11,812 11,644 11,684 99 100 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. 2/ Includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding. Cattle on Feed: Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, United States, March 1, 2006-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : 2008 as % of Item :------------------------------------------ : 2006 : 2007 : 2008 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Head ------ Percent : On Feed Feb 1 1/ : 12,110 11,726 11,966 99 102 Placed on Feed During Feb : 1,588 1,659 1,723 109 104 Fed Cattle Marketed During Feb : 1,602 1,711 1,776 111 104 Other Disappearance During Feb 2/ : 73 75 60 82 80 On Feed Mar 1 1/ : 12,023 11,599 11,853 99 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. 2/ Includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding. Cattle on Feed: Number on Feed by Class, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, United States, April 1, 2006-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : 2008 as % of Item :------------------------------------------ : 2006 : 2007 : 2008 : 2006 : 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Head ----- Percent : Class on Feed Apr 1 : Steers and Steer Calves : 7,740 7,433 7,347 95 99 Heifers and Heifer Calves : 3,997 4,142 4,276 107 103 Cows and Bulls : 75 69 61 81 88 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cattle on Feed: Number on Feed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States 2007-2008 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Apr 1, 2008 : : :------------------------------------------ State : Apr 1, 2007 : Mar 1, 2008 : : as % of : as % of : : : Number : 2007 : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 Head ------------ ---- Percent ---- : AZ : 340 377 374 110 99 CA : 530 545 530 100 97 CO : 1,020 1,050 1,020 100 97 ID : 245 235 230 94 98 IA : 530 560 550 104 98 KS : 2,480 2,410 2,420 98 100 NE : 2,480 2,490 2,450 99 98 NM : 131 160 158 121 99 OK : 350 350 340 97 97 SD : 230 235 225 98 96 TX : 2,800 2,920 2,880 103 99 WA : 163 151 152 93 101 : Oth Sts: 345 370 355 103 96 : US : 11,644 11,853 11,684 100 99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. Cattle on Feed: Number Placed on Feed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During Mar 2008 : During : During :------------------------------------------ State : Mar 2007 : Feb 2008 : : as % of : as % of : : : Number : 2007 : Feb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 Head ----------- ---- Percent ---- : AZ : 46 36 30 65 83 CA : 68 60 55 81 92 CO : 160 155 135 84 87 ID : 38 39 37 97 95 IA : 72 62 59 82 95 KS : 510 390 440 86 113 NE : 350 350 360 103 103 NM : 19 15 10 53 67 OK : 68 45 50 74 111 SD : 40 47 32 80 68 TX : 520 440 450 87 102 WA : 26 30 30 115 100 : Oth Sts: 43 54 48 112 89 : US : 1,960 1,723 1,736 89 101 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cattle on Feed: Number Placed on Feed by Weight Group, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During March :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Under 600 : 600-699 : 700-799 : 800 Plus : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Head : CO : 15 20 30 25 50 45 65 45 160 135 KS : 70 55 115 95 170 150 155 140 510 440 NE : 40 50 50 50 110 110 150 150 350 360 TX : 90 100 120 105 200 165 110 80 520 450 : Oth Sts : 130 110 60 55 110 91 120 95 420 351 : US : 345 335 375 330 640 561 600 510 1,960 1,736 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : Under 600 : 600-699 : 700-799 : 800 Plus : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Head : CO : 15 10 30 35 45 50 50 60 140 155 KS : 50 40 85 85 145 160 115 105 395 390 NE : 40 40 60 70 110 110 150 130 360 350 TX : 100 120 100 125 120 125 70 70 390 440 : Oth Sts : 120 120 59 70 85 88 110 110 374 388 : US : 325 330 334 385 505 533 495 475 1,659 1,723 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cattle on Feed: Number Marketed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During Mar 2008 : During : During :------------------------------------------ State : Mar 2007 : Feb 2008 : : as % of : as % of : : : Number : 2007 : Feb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 Head ----------- ---- Percent ---- : AZ : 33 30 31 94 103 CA : 65 63 65 100 103 CO : 140 190 160 114 84 ID : 42 38 39 93 103 IA : 70 69 68 97 99 KS : 430 400 415 97 104 NE : 370 360 390 105 108 NM : 17 14 11 65 79 OK : 67 48 58 87 121 SD : 37 40 37 100 93 TX : 495 440 480 97 109 WA : 32 30 28 88 93 : Oth Sts: 45 54 60 133 111 : US : 1,843 1,776 1,842 100 104 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cattle on Feed: Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States 2007-2008 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During Mar 2008 : During : During :------------------------------------------ State : Mar 2007 : Feb 2008 : : as % of : as % of : : : Number : 2007 : Feb -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 Head ---------- ---- Percent ---- : AZ : 2 2 2 100 100 CA : 3 7 5 167 71 CO : 10 5 5 50 100 ID : 1 1 3 300 300 IA : 2 3 1 50 33 KS : 20 10 15 75 150 NE : 10 10 10 100 100 NM : 1 1 1 100 100 OK : 1 2 2 200 100 SD : 3 2 5 167 250 TX : 15 10 10 67 100 WA : 1 2 1 100 50 : Oth Sts: 3 5 3 100 60 : US : 72 60 63 88 105 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding. Cattle on Feed: Number on Feed by Class, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots, by Quarter, State, and United States, 2007-2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Steers & Steer Calves :Heifers & Heifer Calves: Cows and Bulls :----------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Apr 1, :Jan 1, :Apr 1, :Apr 1, :Jan 1, :Apr 1, :Apr 1, :Jan 1, :Apr 1, : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : 2008 : 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Head : AZ : 339 365 371 1 3 3 0 0 0 CA : 485 500 485 45 60 45 0 0 0 CO : 660 670 600 355 425 415 5 5 5 ID : 146 127 132 96 98 96 3 10 2 IA : 350 390 380 179 179 170 1 1 0 KS : 1,340 1,350 1,270 1,115 1,120 1,130 25 10 20 NE : 1,520 1,550 1,550 950 970 890 10 10 10 NM : 81 90 94 50 70 64 0 0 0 OK : 235 240 220 115 110 120 0 0 0 SD : 130 111 121 82 90 86 18 29 18 TX : 1,780 1,880 1,790 1,017 1,077 1,087 3 3 3 WA : 87 88 74 75 75 77 1 1 1 : Oth Sts : 280 285 260 62 104 93 3 1 2 : US : 7,433 7,646 7,347 4,142 4,381 4,276 69 70 61 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates Cattle on feed are animals being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplement for slaughter market that are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. It excludes cattle being "backgrounded only" for later sale as feeders or later placement in another feedlot. Placements are cattle put into a feedlot, fed a ration which will produce a carcass that will grade select or better, and are intended for the slaughter market. Marketings are cattle shipped out of feedlots to a slaughter market. Other disappearance includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to other feedlots for further feeding. Reliability of Cattle on Feed Estimates Survey Procedures: During January and July all known feedlots in the U.S. with capacity of 1,000 or more head are surveyed to provide data for cattle on feed estimates. During the other months, all known feedlots from 17 States are surveyed. The 17 States account for 98 percent of the cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. Estimating Procedures: These cattle on feed estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing recommendations and analysis submitted by each State office. Regional and State survey data were reviewed for reasonableness with each other and with estimates from the previous month when setting the current estimates. Revision Policy: Revisions to previous estimates are made to improve month to month relationships. Estimates for the previous month are subject to revision in all States each month when current estimates are made. In February, all monthly estimates for the previous year, and the number of feedlots and annual marketings from two years ago are reviewed and subject to revisions. The reviews are primarily based on slaughter data, state check-off or brand data, and any other data that may have been received after the original estimate was made. Estimates will also be reviewed after data from the Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions will be made after that date and estimates become final. Reliability: Since all 1,000+ capacity cattle on feed operators in every State are not included in the monthly survey, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the following table. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and latest estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for cattle on feed inventory estimates over the past 10 years is .1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 11.7 million head by more than .1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed .1 percent. The following table also shows a 10 year record of the range of differences between first and latest estimates for selected items. Using estimates of number on feed as an example, changes between the first estimate and the latest estimate during the past 10 years have averaged 7,000 head, ranging from 0 to 15,000 head. During this period the initial estimate has been below the final estimate 7 times, and above the final estimate 0 times. This does not imply that the initial estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory. Reliability of U.S. April 1 Cattle on Feed Estimates 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 90% : Difference Between : : : Confidence : First and Final : Number of : Root : Level : Estimates 1/ : Years Item : Mean :--------------------------------------------------------- : Square : : : : : : First : First : Error :Percent: (000) :Average:Smallest:Largest: Above : Below : : : Head : : : : Final : Final -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent -------- 1,000 Head -------- Number : Number on : Feed : 0.1 0.1 17.3 7 0 15 0 7 : Placements : 0.5 0.8 14.5 8 0 15 4 5 : Marketings : 0.3 0.5 10.0 4 0 10 3 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Based on data for the past 10 years. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 720-3570 Livestock Section Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 690-2424 Jim Collom - Dairy Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 690-3236 Joe Gaynor - Dairy Products Prices. . . . . . . . . . . (202) 690-2168 Jason Hardegree - Milk Production and Milk Cows . . . . (202) 720-3278 Benita Hodge - Livestock Slaughter. . . . . . . . . . . (515) 284-4340 Scott Hollis - Sheep and Goats. . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 690-2424 Mike Miller - Cattle, Cattle on Feed. . . . . . . . . . (202) 720-3040 Nicholas Streff - Hogs and Pigs . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 720-3106 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. Follow the instructions on the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6900 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.