The USDA says 1.804 million head of cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots in December.
That was down 8% from December 2021 with the usual holiday related slowdown in placements amplified by winter storms in most of the major feeding areas that canceled sales events and limited livestock movement. Tighter numbers caused by cattle being pulled forward earlier in the year also contributed to the decline.
Most of the cattle that did make it to the feedlots weighed less than 800 pounds, headed for slaughter later this summer.
