The USDA says placements of cattle into feedlots during January fell 4% on the year to 1.932 million head. That is the fifth month in a row with lower placements, reflecting the large number cattle that were pulled forward in 2022, high feed costs, and issues with pasture conditions in some of the major feeding areas. This will lead to tighter supplies of market ready numbers this summer into the early part of fall.
January marketings were up 4% from January 2022 at 1.847 million head, while the total number of U.S.
