Cattle on Feed ISSN: 1948-9080 Released February 18, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). United States Cattle on Feed Up 6 Percent Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on February 1, 2011. The inventory was 6 percent above February 1, 2010. Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.90 million, 4 percent above 2010. Net placements were 1.84 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 465,000, 600-699 pounds were 475,000, 700-799 pounds were 547,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 410,000. Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.78 million, slightly above 2010. Other disappearance totaled 56,000 during January, 20 percent below 2010. This is the lowest other disappearance for the month of January since the series began in 1996. 2010 Cattle on Feed and Annual Size Group Estimates Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 82.1 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2011, up from 80.5 on January 1, 2010. Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2010 represented 84.6 percent of all cattle marketed from feedlots in the United States, down from 84.7 percent during 2009. Special Note This report contains the 2010 monthly cattle on feed estimates for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. Also included are the United States number of feedlots, inventory, and annual marketings by size group for 2009 and 2010. Data for total United States capacity of 1,000 or more head feedlots are also published in this issue. Contents Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: February 1, 2010 and 2011................................................................ 3 Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011................................................................. 3 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011............. 3 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011... 4 Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States................................................ 4 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011.................................................................................................. 5 Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011.. 6 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011........ 6 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010............ 7 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010..... 8 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010................................................................................... 9 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued)........................................................................... 10 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued)........................................................................... 11 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued)........................................................................... 12 Cattle on Feed: Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010....................................................................................... 13 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010................. 14 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2010........... 15 Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2009 and 2010........... 16 Total Feedlot Capacity of 1000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011............... 16 Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates......................................................... 17 Reliability Monthly Cattle on Feed Estimates.............................................................. 17 Information Contacts...................................................................................... 18 Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: February 1, 2010 and 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2010 : 2011 :previous year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed January 1 ...................: 10,983 11,514 105 Placed on feed during January .......: 1,822 1,897 104 Fed cattle marketed during January ..: 1,776 1,777 100 Other disappearance during January ..: 70 56 80 On feed February 1 ..................: 10,959 11,578 106 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2010 : 2011 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed December1/ 1 ...................: 11,277 11,620 103 Placed on feed during December1/ .......: 1,526 1,789 117 Fed cattle marketed during December1/ ..: 1,745 1,830 105 Other disappearance during December1/ ..: 75 65 87 On feed January 1 ......................: 10,983 11,514 105 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December preceding year. Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2010 : 2011 :previous year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head --- percent : Class on feed January 1 : Steers and steer calves ...........: 6,852 7,178 105 Heifers and heifer calves .........: 4,068 4,259 105 Cows and bulls ....................: 63 77 122 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : February 1, 2011 : : :----------------------------------------- State :February 1, 2010 : January 1, 2011 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 head ------------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ........: 290 258 261 90 101 California .....: 430 470 470 109 100 Colorado .......: 960 1,080 1,070 111 99 Idaho ..........: 200 240 230 115 96 Iowa ...........: 600 640 660 110 103 Kansas .........: 2,240 2,280 2,270 101 100 Nebraska .......: 2,370 2,430 2,460 104 101 Oklahoma .......: 365 375 375 103 100 South Dakota ...: 235 260 270 115 104 Texas ..........: 2,700 2,840 2,880 107 101 Washington .....: 166 209 209 126 100 : Other States ...: 403 432 423 105 98 : United States ..: 10,959 11,514 11,578 106 101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2011 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2010 :December 2010 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 28 36 34 121 94 California .......: 54 61 54 100 89 Colorado .........: 130 160 185 142 116 Idaho ............: 27 42 31 115 74 Iowa .............: 95 93 93 98 100 Kansas ...........: 475 410 435 92 106 Nebraska .........: 410 380 430 105 113 Oklahoma .........: 60 55 66 110 120 South Dakota .....: 35 45 51 146 113 Texas ............: 420 420 440 105 105 Washington .......: 29 36 31 107 86 : Other States .....: 59 51 47 80 92 : United States ....: 1,822 1,789 1,897 104 106 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2009-2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 20 25 25 50 45 65 40 45 130 185 Kansas .......: 60 55 125 120 190 165 100 95 475 435 Nebraska .....: 70 70 110 105 120 130 110 125 410 430 Texas ........: 135 165 100 115 115 105 70 55 420 440 : Other States .: 110 150 85 85 92 82 100 90 387 407 : United States : 395 465 445 475 562 547 420 410 1,822 1,897 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During December :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 : 2009 : 2010 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 30 30 50 30 40 25 40 110 160 Kansas .......: 70 75 100 115 135 130 70 90 375 410 Nebraska .....: 60 55 80 110 100 105 80 110 320 380 Texas ........: 140 180 110 120 70 80 30 40 350 420 : Other States .: 130 135 95 100 66 84 80 100 371 419 : United States : 425 475 415 495 401 439 285 380 1,526 1,789 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2011 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2010 :December 2010 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 24 26 30 125 115 California .......: 57 57 51 89 89 Colorado .........: 170 165 190 112 115 Idaho ............: 41 35 40 98 114 Iowa .............: 62 80 69 111 86 Kansas ...........: 475 480 435 92 91 Nebraska .........: 380 400 385 101 96 Oklahoma .........: 58 58 64 110 110 South Dakota .....: 34 39 40 118 103 Texas ............: 390 400 390 100 98 Washington .......: 28 39 30 107 77 : Other States .....: 57 51 53 93 104 : United States ....: 1,776 1,830 1,777 100 97 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2011 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2011 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2010 :December 2010 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 head ---------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 1 1 1 100 100 California .......: 7 4 3 43 75 Colorado .........: 10 5 5 50 100 Idaho ............: 1 2 1 100 50 Iowa .............: 3 3 4 133 133 Kansas ...........: 10 10 10 100 100 Nebraska .........: 20 10 15 75 150 Oklahoma .........: 2 2 2 100 100 South Dakota .....: 1 1 1 100 100 Texas ............: 10 20 10 100 50 Washington .......: 1 2 1 100 50 : Other States .....: 4 5 3 75 60 : United States ....: 70 65 56 80 86 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : State : January 1 :February 1 : March 1 : April 1 : May 1 : June 1 : : : : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 287 290 286 278 268 263 California ...: 440 430 425 415 410 425 Colorado .....: 1,010 960 940 930 940 970 Idaho ........: 215 200 195 205 210 210 Iowa .........: 570 600 610 600 600 590 Kansas .......: 2,250 2,240 2,220 2,240 2,130 2,130 Nebraska .....: 2,360 2,370 2,350 2,290 2,240 2,140 Oklahoma .....: 365 365 355 340 325 345 South Dakota .: 235 235 240 235 235 230 Texas ........: 2,680 2,700 2,650 2,640 2,510 2,640 Washington ...: 166 166 168 171 175 179 : Other States .: 405 403 410 398 385 373 : United States : 10,983 10,959 10,849 10,742 10,428 10,495 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : July 1 : August 1 :September 1: October 1 :November 1 :December 1 : : : : : : :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 255 248 240 240 251 249 California ...: 430 435 435 445 460 470 Colorado .....: 920 890 890 1,000 1,090 1,090 Idaho ........: 200 190 190 205 220 235 Iowa .........: 570 560 560 570 610 630 Kansas .......: 2,010 2,040 2,200 2,330 2,400 2,360 Nebraska .....: 2,000 1,960 2,050 2,220 2,420 2,460 Oklahoma .....: 350 335 355 370 385 380 South Dakota .: 215 200 195 205 230 255 Texas ........: 2,590 2,520 2,550 2,640 2,820 2,840 Washington ...: 168 163 170 181 197 214 : Other States .: 363 339 346 382 414 437 : United States : 10,071 9,880 10,181 10,788 11,497 11,620 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 32 28 21 20 16 20 California ...: 43 54 51 47 54 67 Colorado .....: 110 130 160 185 170 185 Idaho ........: 41 27 36 34 27 32 Iowa .........: 85 95 78 77 76 64 Kansas .......: 375 475 405 440 315 420 Nebraska .....: 320 410 365 380 400 380 Oklahoma .....: 50 60 54 64 57 93 South Dakota .: 38 35 52 42 39 42 Texas ........: 350 420 365 490 400 620 Washington ...: 29 29 30 32 29 42 : Other States .: 53 59 57 45 51 65 : United States : 1,526 1,822 1,674 1,856 1,634 2,030 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 21 21 20 22 32 22 California ...: 64 51 55 55 65 69 Colorado .....: 125 140 190 295 270 155 Idaho ........: 34 34 46 57 53 52 Iowa .........: 57 69 93 122 142 114 Kansas .......: 365 500 610 510 435 375 Nebraska .....: 310 370 480 540 580 445 Oklahoma .....: 66 49 81 87 80 60 South Dakota .: 23 33 45 57 70 62 Texas ........: 470 410 540 580 640 475 Washington ...: 32 34 42 45 53 54 : Other States .: 61 47 69 93 85 76 : United States : 1,628 1,758 2,271 2,463 2,505 1,959 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During December prior year State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 30 30 25 110 Kansas .......: 70 100 135 70 375 Nebraska .....: 60 80 100 80 320 Texas ........: 140 110 70 30 350 : Other States .: 130 95 66 80 371 : United States : 425 415 401 285 1,526 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 20 25 45 40 130 Kansas .......: 60 125 190 100 475 Nebraska .....: 70 110 120 110 410 Texas ........: 135 100 115 70 420 : Other States .: 110 85 92 100 387 : United States : 395 445 562 420 1,822 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 15 35 50 60 160 Kansas .......: 50 90 150 115 405 Nebraska .....: 55 80 110 120 365 Texas ........: 105 95 110 55 365 : Other States .: 95 70 99 115 379 : United States : 320 370 519 465 1,674 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During March State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 40 70 45 185 Kansas .......: 70 90 165 115 440 Nebraska .....: 60 70 120 130 380 Texas ........: 145 125 150 70 490 : Other States .: 90 50 96 125 361 : United States : 395 375 601 485 1,856 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During April :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 35 45 60 170 Kansas .......: 55 60 100 100 315 Nebraska .....: 70 70 120 140 400 Texas ........: 115 85 120 80 400 : Other States .: 95 55 84 115 349 : United States : 365 305 469 495 1,634 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During May :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 25 45 90 185 Kansas .......: 60 80 130 150 420 Nebraska .....: 55 70 105 150 380 Texas ........: 180 180 170 90 620 : Other States .: 130 55 85 155 425 : United States : 450 410 535 635 2,030 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During June State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 20 20 30 55 125 Kansas .......: 65 80 115 105 365 Nebraska .....: 60 50 70 130 310 Texas ........: 175 105 125 65 470 : Other States .: 120 45 68 125 358 : United States : 440 300 408 480 1,628 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During July :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 15 20 40 65 140 Kansas .......: 75 90 165 170 500 Nebraska .....: 50 70 90 160 370 Texas ........: 190 75 85 60 410 : Other States .: 85 50 68 135 338 : United States : 415 305 448 590 1,758 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During August :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 20 55 90 190 Kansas .......: 90 115 200 205 610 Nebraska .....: 55 80 100 245 480 Texas ........: 215 120 120 85 540 : Other States .: 110 60 91 190 451 : United States : 495 395 566 815 2,271 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During September State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 35 35 65 160 295 Kansas .......: 75 110 160 165 510 Nebraska .....: 75 80 130 255 540 Texas ........: 190 165 145 80 580 : Other States .: 135 65 103 235 538 : United States : 510 455 603 895 2,463 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During October :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 55 55 60 100 270 Kansas .......: 90 115 125 105 435 Nebraska .....: 170 160 90 160 580 Texas ........: 220 190 145 85 640 : Other States .: 190 120 95 175 580 : United States : 725 640 515 625 2,505 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During November :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 45 40 30 40 155 Kansas .......: 80 105 120 70 375 Nebraska .....: 110 160 65 110 445 Texas ........: 195 145 85 50 475 : Other States .: 195 140 74 100 509 : United States : 625 590 374 370 1,959 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cattle on Feed: Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 26 24 24 27 24 24 California ...: 61 57 48 51 54 48 Colorado .....: 155 170 175 190 145 135 Idaho ........: 35 41 40 23 21 31 Iowa .........: 73 62 65 84 72 72 Kansas .......: 445 475 415 410 405 405 Nebraska .....: 350 380 370 430 435 455 Oklahoma .....: 58 58 62 77 70 72 South Dakota .: 36 34 44 45 38 44 Texas ........: 410 390 400 485 510 475 Washington ...: 34 28 27 28 24 37 : Other States .: 62 57 46 53 59 67 : United States : 1,745 1,776 1,716 1,903 1,857 1,865 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 27 27 27 21 20 23 California ...: 56 43 52 43 48 55 Colorado .....: 170 165 185 180 170 150 Idaho ........: 43 43 45 41 37 35 Iowa .........: 75 77 91 108 100 90 Kansas .......: 475 460 440 370 350 400 Nebraska .....: 435 400 380 360 370 395 Oklahoma .....: 60 63 60 71 63 63 South Dakota .: 36 47 49 45 44 36 Texas ........: 510 470 500 475 445 440 Washington ...: 42 38 34 33 36 36 : Other States .: 68 68 60 55 51 51 : United States : 1,997 1,901 1,923 1,802 1,734 1,774 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 1 1 1 1 2 1 California ...: 7 7 8 6 5 4 Colorado .....: 5 10 5 5 15 20 Idaho ........: 1 1 1 1 1 1 Iowa .........: 2 3 3 3 4 2 Kansas .......: 10 10 10 10 20 15 Nebraska .....: 20 20 15 10 15 25 Oklahoma .....: 2 2 2 2 2 1 South Dakota .: 2 1 3 2 1 3 Texas ........: 20 10 15 15 20 15 Washington ...: 1 1 1 1 1 1 : Other States .: 4 4 4 4 5 10 : United States : 75 70 68 60 91 98 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 2 1 1 1 1 1 California ...: 3 3 3 2 2 4 Colorado .....: 5 5 5 5 10 5 Idaho ........: 1 1 1 1 1 2 Iowa .........: 2 2 2 4 2 4 Kansas .......: 10 10 10 10 15 15 Nebraska .....: 15 10 10 10 10 10 Oklahoma .....: 1 1 1 1 2 2 South Dakota .: 2 1 1 2 1 1 Texas ........: 10 10 10 15 15 15 Washington ...: 1 1 1 1 1 1 : Other States .: 3 3 2 2 2 2 : United States : 55 48 47 54 62 62 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Steers & steer calves : Heifers & heifer calves :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State :January 1: April 1 : July 1 :October 1:January 1: April 1 : July 1 :October 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 285 275 254 239 2 3 1 1 California ...: 385 335 425 355 53 80 5 90 Colorado .....: 650 630 635 705 355 295 280 290 Idaho ........: 120 122 115 119 90 82 77 80 Iowa .........: 380 420 400 395 190 180 170 175 Kansas .......: 1,250 1,190 1,030 1,230 990 1,045 970 1,090 Nebraska .....: 1,440 1,410 1,210 1,340 910 870 785 865 Oklahoma .....: 220 190 185 205 145 150 165 165 South Dakota .: 115 125 106 97 92 93 91 92 Texas ........: 1,650 1,610 1,550 1,560 1,029 1,029 1,039 1,079 Washington ...: 94 101 98 108 71 69 69 72 : Other States .: 263 273 247 254 141 124 114 127 : United States : 6,852 6,681 6,255 6,607 4,068 4,020 3,766 4,126 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Cows and bulls :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : January 1 : April 1 : July 1 : October 1 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 0 0 0 0 California ...: 2 0 0 0 Colorado .....: 5 5 5 5 Idaho ........: 5 1 8 6 Iowa .........: 0 0 0 0 Kansas .......: 10 5 10 10 Nebraska .....: 10 10 5 15 Oklahoma .....: 0 0 0 0 South Dakota .: 28 17 18 16 Texas ........: 1 1 1 1 Washington ...: 1 1 1 1 : Other States .: 1 1 2 1 : United States : 63 41 50 55 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2009 and 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2009 : 2010 :----------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Cattle : : : Cattle Feedlot capacity : Lots :Inventory 1/ : marketed : Lots :Inventory 1/ : marketed ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :number ---- 1,000 head ---- number ---- 1,000 head ---- : Less than 1,000 head .:80,000 2,659.2 3,914 75,000 2,508.9 4,032 : 1,000 head or more ...: 2,170 10,983 21,692 2,140 11,514 22,078 1,000 - 1,999 .....: 810 433 772 790 454 778 2,000 - 3,999 .....: 570 800 1,400 560 800 1,400 4,000 - 7,999 .....: 345 1,010 1,760 335 1,030 1,760 8,000 - 15,999 ....: 180 1,250 2,470 180 1,250 2,470 16,000 - 23,999 ...: 80 990 1,920 85 1,130 2,040 24,000 - 31, 999 ..: 55 1,100 2,290 55 1,050 2,050 32,000 - 49,999 ...: 70 2,020 4,080 71 2,050 4,110 50,000 and Over ...: 60 3,380 7,000 64 3,750 7,470 : All feedlots .........:82,170 13,642.2 25,606 77,140 14,022.9 26,110 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Inventory estimates as of January 1 of the following year. Total Feedlot Capacity of 1000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2010 and 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feedlot capacity in number of head Item :--------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : : United States ........: 16,800 17,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terms and Definitions of Cattle on Feed Estimates Number of feedlots is the number of lots operating at the end of the year with inventory of cattle on feed. 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 United States 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 16 States are surveyed. The 16 States account for 98 percent of the cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. Individual State estimates are published monthly for 11 of the 16 States. Data collected from the remaining 5 States are used to establish the "Other States" estimates. These 5 States include Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wyoming. The "Other States" category represents all cattle on feed with a capacity of 1,000 or more head for the rest of the United States. 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 establishing 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 table on the following page. 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 24 months is 0.1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 11.6 million head by more than 0.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.2 percent. The table on this page shows a 24 month 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 24 months have averaged 9,000 head, ranging from 0 to 30,000 head. During this period the initial estimate has been above the latest estimate 8 times and has been below the latest estimate 9 times. This does not imply that the initial estimate is likely to understate or overstate final inventory. Reliability of Monthly Cattle on Feed Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent ------- 1,000 ------- ----- number ----- : Number on feed ...............: 0.1 0.2 9 0 30 9 8 : Placements ...................: 0.3 0.6 3 0 20 10 5 : Marketings ...................: 0.3 0.5 3 0 21 8 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (515) 284-4340 Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106 Joe Gaynor - Dairy Products Prices ........... (202) 690-2168 Jason Hardegree - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ..... (202) 720-3040 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Everett Olbert - Sheep and Goats ............. (202) 720-4751 Lorie Warren - Dairy Products ................ (202) 690-3236 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377- 8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.