Report Summary
The Cattle on Feed survey provides estimates of the number of cattle being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplements for the slaughter market that are expected to produce a carcass that will grade select or better. This survey is conducted in the 16 largest cattle-feeding states. About 2,000 known cattle feeders with a capacity of 1,000 or more head are enumerated. Feedlots with 1,000 or more head capacity represent about 85 percent of all fed cattle in the U.S. The 16 largest states represent 98 percent of U.S. cattle on feed in lots of 1,000 head or more capacity. Data are used in conjunction with Cattle Inventory data from January and July to obtain a measure of cattle on feed not included in the survey.
