The March 2026 Cattle on Feed Report showed February placements of 1.61 million head, which was a four percent increase over 2025, exceeding analyst expectations before the report. The March 1 total on-feed inventory was 11.55 million head, 0.3 percent below last year, while February marketings fell seven percent compared to 2025. Beef Magazine said the report was considered slightly bearish due to the higher-than-expected placements, which were a four percent increase from a light placement year in 2025.
Some of the key feeding states saw high placements, including Iowa, up 11 percent, Kansas was also 11 percent higher, and Texas placements rose by eight percent. February fed cattle marketings totaled 1.52 million head, seven percent below 2025. Marketings were the second lowest for February since the series began in 1996. Other disappearances totaled 50,000 head during February, 17 percent below 2025.
-NAFB