By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

The December Cattle on Feed report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed historically lower placements.

As of Dec. 1, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million, 2% lower than it was a year ago.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.6 million head, which is 11% lower than November 2024 and the lowest for November since the series began in 1996.

During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing:

  • less than 600 pounds were 435,000 head,
  • 600-699 pounds were 375,000 head,
  • 700-799 pounds were 320,000 head,
  • 800-899 pounds were 255,000 head,
  • 900-999 pounds were 130,000 head and
  • 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head.

Marketings fell to second-lowest levels for November, totaling 1.52 million head. That is 12% below last year.

Texas was among the states with major drops in placements in November. The Lone Star State was down 17% compared to a year ago. The decline is largely tied to fewer Mexican feeder cattle entering the state.

Other states with significant drops were Arizona, down 27% from last year, and Kansas, down 20%.

The beef industry was also hit with major processing news after Tyson announced it will close its Lexington, Nebraska, beef plant in January 2026. Tyson will also reduce capacity at its Amarillo facility.

USDA will release the next Cattle on Feed report Jan. 23, 2026.