The May Cattle on Feed report was released on May 22nd with the monthly report including total cattle on feed numbers, placements, marketings, and more for April. The total number of cattle on feed as of May 1 was reported at 11.5 million head, a 1.8% increase from last year and the first increase seen in 18 months. Placements were 5.5% higher year-over-year at 1.7 million head with marketings being down 10% year-over-year at 1.6 million head. Cattle on feed, placements, and marketings were all within pre-report estimates, but still beg the question at first glance, how could there be more cattle on feed when supplies are tightening?
Placements
Higher placements are likely a result of lighter-weight calves, including heifers, being sold earlier than in previous years due to drought conditions, input costs, and high prices. The number of calves placed in April weighing less than 800 pounds totaled 965,000 head, 6.6% higher than last April’s 605,000 head. Hay supply is expected to be lower this year with many operations already missing their first cutting combined with the increases in fertilizer and fuel costs. While Florida has received much-needed rain recently, we, along with the Southeast and a majority of cattle producing states, are still far from a full recovery with future hay stocks for this fall and winter already impacted.
Marketings
On the other end, fewer marketings continue to support cattle are being fed longer as market dynamics are driving more pounds with value of gain being higher than cost of gain. The April placements-marketing ratio was about 1.17:1, meaning for every head leaving (marketed) in April, 1.17 head were entering (placed). Put another way, net feedlot placements for April 2026 were 100% of marketings when the historical average percentage for April has been in the low 90s. Typically, the spring months are where we see a decline in placements as fewer calves are sold in the spring compared to the fall months. We can conclude that more lightweight calves are being placed than usual, indicating the increase in cattle on feed is due to timing changes rather than increased supply.
Questions, contact Hannah at h.baker@ufl.edu
See this update and other helpful resources online at https://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/about/directory/staff/hannah-baker/
Written May 2026
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