USDA Cattle on Feed Report Preview

OMAHA (DTN) -- Thursday's April 1 USDA Cattle on Feed report could raise some concern given the variation in the anticipated placement data.

To better understand the placement scenario, we must keep a couple of things in mind. First, although imports from Mexico remain lighter and slower when compared to the flow of cattle before the import halt was instated in November 2024 through Feb. 1, 2025, gradual improvement has been noted. Secondly, I believe the continued drought situation has pushed some feeder cattle buyers to place feeders/calves into feedlots even if their intension is to hit grass early this spring. And, lastly, feeder cattle prices spiked toward the second half of the month, which encouraged cattlemen who still had cattle to market to clear their pens and capitalize on the market's offer.

And I'd like to highlight the fact that this week's Cattle on Feed report will be released on Thursday because the markets will be closed on Good Friday.

USDA will release its April 1 Cattle on Feed report at 2 p.m. CDT on Thursday.

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	USDA Actual	Average Estimate	Range
On Feed April 1		98.3%	97.5-99.2%
Placed in March		104.2%	99.0-106.7%
Marketed in March		100.6%	99.0-101.5%

ShayLe Stewart can be reached at ShayLe.Stewart@dtn.com

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