Cattle on Feed ISSN: 1948-9080 Released February 24, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.8 million head on February 1, 2012. The inventory was 2 percent above February 1, 2011. Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.85 million, 2 percent below 2011. Net placements were 1.77 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 445,000, 600-699 pounds were 430,000, 700-799 pounds were 525,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 447,000. Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.82 million, 2 percent above 2011. Other disappearance totaled 81,000 during January, 42 percent above 2011. 2011 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 84.0 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2012, up from 82.2 on January 1, 2011. Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2011 represented 87.7 percent of all cattle marketed from feedlots in the United States, up from 84.6 percent during 2010. Special Note This report contains the 2011 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 2010 and 2011. 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, 2011 and 2012................................................................... 3 Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012.................................................................... 3 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012.............. 3 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012.... 4 Cattle on Feed Inventory 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: 2011 and 2012.............................................................................................. 5 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2012............................................................................... 5 Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012... 6 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012......... 6 Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011............. 7 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011...... 8 Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011........................................................................................ 9 Cattle on Feed: Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011........................................................................................ 13 Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011.................. 14 Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2011............ 15 Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2010 and 2011............ 16 Total Feedlot Capacity of 1000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012................ 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, 2011 and 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2011 : 2012 :previous year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed January 1 ...................: 11,513 11,861 103 Placed on feed during January .......: 1,889 1,847 98 Fed cattle marketed during January ..: 1,774 1,816 102 Other disappearance during January ..: 57 81 142 On feed February 1 ..................: 11,571 11,811 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2011 : 2012 :previous year ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head ---- percent : On feed December 1 .....................: 11,620 12,055 104 Placed on feed during December .........: 1,789 1,673 94 Fed cattle marketed during December ....: 1,830 1,776 97 Other disappearance during December ....: 66 91 138 On feed January 1 ......................: 11,513 11,861 103 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number : Percent of Item :---------------------------: : 2011 : 2012 :previous year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head --- percent : Class on feed January 1 : Steers and steer calves ...........: 7,178 7,281 101 Heifers and heifer calves .........: 4,259 4,496 106 Cows and bulls ....................: 76 84 111 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : February 1, 2012 : : :----------------------------------------- State :February 1, 2011 : January 1, 2012 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- 1,000 head ------------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ........: 266 279 276 104 99 California .....: 470 510 505 107 99 Colorado .......: 1,070 1,150 1,140 107 99 Idaho ..........: 230 230 235 102 102 Iowa ...........: 660 620 650 98 105 Kansas .........: 2,270 2,250 2,230 98 99 Nebraska .......: 2,460 2,550 2,570 104 101 Oklahoma .......: 375 375 355 95 95 South Dakota ...: 270 260 260 96 100 Texas ..........: 2,870 2,940 2,900 101 99 Washington .....: 207 232 227 110 98 : Other States ...: 423 465 463 109 100 : United States ..: 11,571 11,861 11,811 102 100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2012 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2011 :December 2011 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 36 26 28 78 108 California .......: 54 61 55 102 90 Colorado .........: 185 160 190 103 119 Idaho ............: 31 36 47 152 131 Iowa .............: 93 77 103 111 134 Kansas ...........: 435 350 410 94 117 Nebraska .........: 430 380 430 100 113 Oklahoma .........: 66 45 50 76 111 South Dakota .....: 51 37 45 88 122 Texas ............: 430 400 400 93 100 Washington .......: 31 44 35 113 80 : Other States .....: 47 57 54 115 95 : United States ....: 1,889 1,673 1,847 98 110 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2010 and 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 30 50 50 65 60 45 50 185 190 Kansas .......: 55 70 120 100 165 155 95 85 435 410 Nebraska .....: 70 60 105 110 130 120 125 140 430 430 Texas ........: 160 150 115 85 100 105 55 60 430 400 : Other States .: 150 135 85 85 84 85 90 112 409 417 : United States : 460 445 475 430 544 525 410 447 1,889 1,847 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During December :--------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .....: 30 50 50 35 40 30 40 45 160 160 Kansas .......: 75 75 115 100 130 105 90 70 410 350 Nebraska .....: 55 60 110 90 105 100 110 130 380 380 Texas ........: 180 225 120 75 80 55 40 45 420 400 : Other States .: 135 140 100 85 84 70 100 88 419 383 : United States : 475 550 495 385 439 360 380 378 1,789 1,673 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2012 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2011 :December 2011 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 27 36 30 111 83 California .......: 51 52 57 112 110 Colorado .........: 190 160 190 100 119 Idaho ............: 40 40 41 103 103 Iowa .............: 69 63 70 101 111 Kansas ...........: 435 445 415 95 93 Nebraska .........: 385 380 395 103 104 Oklahoma .........: 64 52 68 106 131 South Dakota .....: 40 37 44 110 119 Texas ............: 390 420 415 106 99 Washington .......: 30 45 39 130 87 : Other States .....: 53 46 52 98 113 : United States ....: 1,774 1,776 1,816 102 102 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 and 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : During January 2012 : During : During :-------------------------------------------- State : January 2011 :December 2011 : : Percent of : Percent of : : : Number :previous year :previous month --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- 1,000 head ---------- ----- percent ---- : Arizona ..........: 1 1 1 100 100 California .......: 3 4 3 100 75 Colorado .........: 5 10 10 200 100 Idaho ............: 1 1 1 100 100 Iowa .............: 4 4 3 75 75 Kansas ...........: 10 15 15 150 100 Nebraska .........: 15 10 15 100 150 Oklahoma .........: 2 3 2 100 67 South Dakota .....: 1 5 1 100 20 Texas ............: 10 30 25 250 83 Washington .......: 2 3 1 50 33 : Other States .....: 3 5 4 133 80 : United States ....: 57 91 81 142 89 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : State : January 1 :February 1 : March 1 : April 1 : May 1 : June 1 : : : : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 258 266 269 276 282 290 California ...: 470 470 460 450 450 460 Colorado .....: 1,080 1,070 1,070 1,090 1,100 1,080 Idaho ........: 240 230 220 220 230 230 Iowa .........: 640 660 650 650 640 610 Kansas .......: 2,280 2,270 2,220 2,190 2,170 2,110 Nebraska .....: 2,430 2,460 2,430 2,380 2,370 2,190 Oklahoma .....: 375 375 360 355 355 355 South Dakota .: 260 270 265 265 255 235 Texas ........: 2,840 2,870 2,830 2,770 2,730 2,760 Washington ...: 208 207 205 207 200 193 : Other States .: 432 423 407 404 393 389 : United States : 11,513 11,571 11,386 11,257 11,175 10,902 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : July 1 : August 1 :September 1: October 1 :November 1 :December 1 : : : : : : :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 287 287 283 280 292 290 California ...: 470 480 475 490 490 505 Colorado .....: 1,000 970 990 1,070 1,140 1,160 Idaho ........: 215 195 195 220 225 235 Iowa .........: 590 550 530 550 570 610 Kansas .......: 2,030 2,180 2,210 2,320 2,400 2,360 Nebraska .....: 2,020 1,980 2,010 2,210 2,470 2,560 Oklahoma .....: 350 360 365 370 390 385 South Dakota .: 210 195 190 205 240 265 Texas ........: 2,690 2,830 2,890 2,940 3,000 2,990 Washington ...: 192 190 193 208 226 236 : Other States .: 379 362 369 419 446 459 : United States : 10,433 10,579 10,700 11,282 11,889 12,055 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 36 36 29 33 25 28 California ...: 61 54 43 48 57 71 Colorado .....: 160 185 215 215 165 140 Idaho ........: 42 31 31 35 34 36 Iowa .........: 93 93 71 81 69 47 Kansas .......: 410 435 365 415 380 375 Nebraska .....: 380 430 350 390 370 340 Oklahoma .....: 55 66 60 75 76 66 South Dakota .: 45 51 45 46 31 33 Texas ........: 420 430 380 490 500 560 Washington ...: 36 31 31 33 28 39 : Other States .: 51 47 47 53 50 75 : United States : 1,789 1,889 1,667 1,914 1,785 1,810 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 25 24 19 19 32 27 California ...: 70 62 56 70 54 66 Colorado .....: 105 170 230 275 230 175 Idaho ........: 34 24 43 67 55 46 Iowa .........: 64 55 77 115 137 143 Kansas .......: 390 580 520 500 440 375 Nebraska .....: 310 390 445 560 665 480 Oklahoma .....: 62 86 75 88 86 60 South Dakota .: 31 22 45 51 75 70 Texas ........: 500 630 620 560 560 470 Washington ...: 41 42 48 54 59 54 : Other States .: 63 50 68 110 99 71 : United States : 1,695 2,135 2,246 2,469 2,492 2,037 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During December prior year State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 50 40 40 160 Kansas .......: 75 115 130 90 410 Nebraska .....: 55 110 105 110 380 Texas ........: 180 120 80 40 420 : Other States .: 135 100 84 100 419 : United States : 475 495 439 380 1,789 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During January :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 25 50 65 45 185 Kansas .......: 55 120 165 95 435 Nebraska .....: 70 105 130 125 430 Texas ........: 160 115 100 55 430 : Other States .: 150 85 84 90 409 : United States : 460 475 544 410 1,889 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During February :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 45 65 75 215 Kansas .......: 55 80 150 80 365 Nebraska .....: 60 85 100 105 350 Texas ........: 160 85 85 50 380 : Other States .: 95 70 92 100 357 : United States : 400 365 492 410 1,667 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During March State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 40 35 70 70 215 Kansas .......: 55 70 145 145 415 Nebraska .....: 60 70 120 140 390 Texas ........: 135 110 150 95 490 : Other States .: 90 75 104 135 404 : United States : 380 360 589 585 1,914 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During April :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 35 30 45 55 165 Kansas .......: 60 60 130 130 380 Nebraska .....: 60 60 100 150 370 Texas ........: 190 95 120 95 500 : Other States .: 100 65 90 115 370 : United States : 445 310 485 545 1,785 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During May :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 30 25 35 50 140 Kansas .......: 65 70 110 130 375 Nebraska .....: 50 55 80 155 340 Texas ........: 170 150 165 75 560 : Other States .: 100 55 90 150 395 : United States : 415 355 480 560 1,810 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During June State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 20 25 30 30 105 Kansas .......: 75 95 120 100 390 Nebraska .....: 50 60 70 130 310 Texas ........: 210 130 120 40 500 : Other States .: 105 70 80 135 390 : United States : 460 380 420 435 1,695 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During July :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 45 25 40 60 170 Kansas .......: 95 115 190 180 580 Nebraska .....: 60 70 100 160 390 Texas ........: 300 140 95 95 630 : Other States .: 120 50 70 125 365 : United States : 620 400 495 620 2,135 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During August :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 45 30 45 110 230 Kansas .......: 105 105 165 145 520 Nebraska .....: 90 65 100 190 445 Texas ........: 365 115 85 55 620 : Other States .: 110 50 81 190 431 : United States : 715 365 476 690 2,246 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --continued Number of Cattle Placed on Feed by Weight Group on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : During September State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 40 25 60 150 275 Kansas .......: 120 110 140 130 500 Nebraska .....: 100 80 110 270 560 Texas ........: 280 125 85 70 560 : Other States .: 145 75 109 245 574 : United States : 685 415 504 865 2,469 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During October :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 60 50 50 70 230 Kansas .......: 115 120 115 90 440 Nebraska .....: 185 180 110 190 665 Texas ........: 250 125 115 70 560 : Other States .: 230 115 97 155 597 : United States : 840 590 487 575 2,492 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : During November :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Under 600 lbs: 600-699 lbs : 700-799 lbs : 800+ lbs : Total :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Colorado .....: 55 40 30 50 175 Kansas .......: 85 100 120 70 375 Nebraska .....: 130 135 85 130 480 Texas ........: 270 100 60 40 470 : Other States .: 210 125 82 120 537 : United States : 750 500 377 410 2,037 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cattle on Feed: Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 26 27 25 25 18 19 California ...: 57 51 50 55 55 59 Colorado .....: 165 190 210 190 150 150 Idaho ........: 35 40 40 34 23 35 Iowa .........: 80 69 79 78 76 73 Kansas .......: 480 435 405 435 385 420 Nebraska .....: 400 385 365 430 370 495 Oklahoma .....: 58 64 73 78 74 65 South Dakota .: 39 40 48 44 39 50 Texas ........: 400 390 405 540 530 520 Washington ...: 39 30 30 28 33 44 : Other States .: 51 53 61 53 54 72 : United States : 1,830 1,774 1,791 1,990 1,807 2,002 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 27 23 22 21 19 28 California ...: 58 48 56 49 49 46 Colorado .....: 175 195 205 185 155 145 Idaho ........: 47 41 42 41 48 35 Iowa .........: 80 93 95 92 115 100 Kansas .......: 460 420 475 375 340 395 Nebraska .....: 465 415 400 350 390 375 Oklahoma .....: 65 74 67 79 63 61 South Dakota .: 46 35 48 35 39 41 Texas ........: 560 470 540 490 465 450 Washington ...: 39 41 44 38 40 43 : Other States .: 70 63 59 58 64 55 : United States : 2,092 1,918 2,053 1,813 1,787 1,774 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Other Disappearance on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : During State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :December 1/: January : February : March : April : May -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 1 1 1 1 1 1 California ...: 4 3 3 3 2 2 Colorado .....: 5 5 5 5 5 10 Idaho ........: 2 1 1 1 1 1 Iowa .........: 3 4 2 3 3 4 Kansas .......: 10 10 10 10 15 15 Nebraska .....: 10 15 15 10 10 25 Oklahoma .....: 2 2 2 2 2 1 South Dakota .: 1 1 2 2 2 3 Texas ........: 20 10 15 10 10 10 Washington ...: 3 2 3 3 2 2 : Other States .: 5 3 2 3 7 7 : United States : 66 57 61 53 60 81 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : During :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : June : July : August : September : October : November :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 1 1 1 1 1 1 California ...: 2 4 5 6 5 5 Colorado .....: 10 5 5 10 5 10 Idaho ........: 2 3 1 1 2 1 Iowa .........: 4 2 2 3 2 3 Kansas .......: 10 10 15 15 20 20 Nebraska .....: 15 15 15 10 15 15 Oklahoma .....: 2 2 3 4 3 4 South Dakota .: 10 2 2 1 1 4 Texas ........: 10 20 20 20 35 30 Washington ...: 3 3 1 1 1 1 : Other States .: 3 4 2 2 8 3 : United States : 72 71 72 74 98 97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December prior year. Number on Feed by Class on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Quarter - States and United States: 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 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 ......: 255 268 283 277 3 8 4 3 California ...: 405 390 410 425 65 59 60 63 Colorado .....: 710 740 690 730 365 345 305 335 Idaho ........: 116 120 110 136 108 94 104 82 Iowa .........: 440 460 410 380 199 190 180 169 Kansas .......: 1,220 1,220 1,070 1,220 1,055 965 955 1,090 Nebraska .....: 1,520 1,480 1,190 1,290 895 890 820 905 Oklahoma .....: 210 210 210 205 165 145 140 165 South Dakota .: 129 135 107 114 107 114 86 81 Texas ........: 1,750 1,680 1,630 1,750 1,089 1,090 1,059 1,189 Washington ...: 130 135 120 123 71 68 71 83 : Other States .: 293 281 272 285 137 122 106 133 : United States : 7,178 7,119 6,502 6,935 4,259 4,090 3,890 4,298 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Cows and bulls :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : January 1 : April 1 : July 1 : October 1 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : Arizona ......: 0 0 0 0 California ...: 0 1 0 2 Colorado .....: 5 5 5 5 Idaho ........: 16 6 1 2 Iowa .........: 1 0 0 1 Kansas .......: 5 5 5 10 Nebraska .....: 15 10 10 15 Oklahoma .....: 0 0 0 0 South Dakota .: 24 16 17 10 Texas ........: 1 0 1 1 Washington ...: 7 4 1 2 : Other States .: 2 1 1 1 : United States : 76 48 41 49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Feedlots, Inventory, and Marketings by Size of Feedlot - United States: 2010 and 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2010 : 2011 :----------------------------------------------------------------- : : : 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 .:75,000 2,498.9 4,032 75,000 2,260.4 3,170 : 1,000 head or more ...: 2,140 11,513 22,078 2,120 11,861 22,577 1,000 - 1,999 .....: 790 453 778 770 416 727 2,000 - 3,999 .....: 560 800 1,400 560 770 1,360 4,000 - 7,999 .....: 335 1,030 1,760 345 1,070 1,870 8,000 - 15,999 ....: 180 1,250 2,470 170 1,220 2,320 16,000 - 23,999 ...: 85 1,130 2,040 86 1,130 2,160 24,000 - 31,999 ...: 55 1,050 2,050 52 970 1,880 32,000 - 49,999 ...: 71 2,050 4,110 71 2,125 4,100 50,000 and Over ...: 64 3,750 7,470 66 4,160 8,160 : All feedlots .........:77,140 14,011.9 26,110 77,120 14,121.4 25,747 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Inventory estimates as of January 1 of the following year. Total Feedlot Capacity of 1000+ Capacity Feedlots - United States: January 1, 2011 and 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feedlot capacity in number of head Item :--------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : : United States ........: 17,000 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 0.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 11.8 million head by more than 0.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.3 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 17,000 head, ranging from 0 to 47,000 head. During this period the initial estimate has been above the latest estimate 16 times and has been below the latest estimate 7 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 ...............: 0.2 0.3 17 0 47 7 16 : Placements ...................: 0.3 0.6 4 0 18 10 10 : Marketings ...................: 0.3 0.5 3 0 20 9 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (515) 284-4340 Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs, Goats ........... (202) 720-3106 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Everett Olbert - Dairy Products Prices ....... (202) 720-4751 Lorie Warren - Dairy Products, Sheep ......... (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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