Market News & Headlines >> U.S. Feedlot Inventory Expected to be up more than 2%

Friday afternoon’s monthly USDA Cattle-on-Feed report is expected to peg the Dec. 1 feedlot inventory more than 2% above a year earlier with continued slow feedlot marketings more than offsetting a slowdown in feedlot placements.

Pre-report trade estimates of the Dec. 1 feedlot inventory average 102.2% of a year earlier in a range from 101.8%-102.7%, according to a Reuters survey of 12 analysts. At the average of trade expectations, the Dec. 1 feedlot inventory would total 11.95 million head, up 257,000 from a year earlier.

Trade expectations for November feedlot marketings average 93.3% of a year earlier in a range from 92.0%-94.5%. At the average of expectations, November marketings would total 1.764 million head, 127,000 head below a year earlier and would be the lowest for the month in eight years.

Trade estimates of November feedlot placements average 96.2% of a year earlier in a range from 94.3%-98.3%. At the average of trade estimates, November placements would total 1.833 million head, down 72,000 head from a year earlier and would be the lowest for the month in three years.