The USDA Cattle on Feed report that came out recently shows a rise in feedlot inventory with lower placements. USDA livestock analyst Anthony Fisher.
“USDA livestock analyst Anthony Fisher provides the latest from the August cattle on feed report issued Friday. On August 1, the number of cattle on feed in U.S. feedlots of 1,000 head or greater was just over 11.1 million head, which was nearly 200,000 head above August 2025. During July, producers placed about 1.4 million head of cattle on feed, which was about 11% below a year earlier. During July, feedlots marketed over 1.6 million head, despite marketings coming in right around expectations; placements in the feedlots were lower than expected, and they were actually the lowest number for the month of July in the data series going back to 1996. The lower placements appear to be the result of a reduced supply of cattle outside feedlots and a lower calf crop in 2025 and 2026. “
And the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is criticizing President Donald Trump’s call to increase beef imports, warning it could slow efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd. NCBA CEO Colin Woodall says producers want affordable beef for consumers, but argues government-subsidized below-market imports are not the solution. NCBA says producers have been rebuilding after years of drought and high costs, but warns policies that weaken market signals could discourage herd expansion and threaten the industry’s long-term stability.