The newest information on what number of cattle are on feed, and what number of had been turned off, is from the tip of December. After a commonplace dip within the September quarter, the rising development of cattle on feed continued in December.
A brand new file was set for cattle on feed, with 1.614 million head in feedlot pens on the finish of December (Determine 1). The rise in cattle on feed was pushed by NSW the place numbers had been up 9.6% on September, and 26.8% on December 2024. Queensland was additionally up, gaining 9.6% on final yr, and remaining by far the most important lot feeding state, with 57% of the nation’s cattle on feed.
Turnoff from feedlots was down marginally in September, however up 20.7% on December final yr, underlining the extraordinary demand for beef in international markets.
What was missed in a number of the commentary was the truth that for the primary time over 1 million head of cattle had been positioned in feedlots within the December quarter. Placements aren’t reported, we calculate them by taking the distinction in cattle on feed between quarters and including turnoff. December placements had been up 28.8% on December 2024.
Complete placements of cattle on feed for 2025 had been 3.826 million head. We are able to estimate the calf crop, which was 9.7 million head in 2025, so 39% of calves marked went by way of a feedlot in 2025.Â
Determine 2 reveals feedlot utilisation climbing to 92% because the surge in feedlot capability slowed slightly. Robust feedlot utilisation is a indicator of sturdy feeder provide, and good feeding margins. With feed grain costs low cost, relative to completed cattle costs, it is sensible that extra cattle are discovering themselves being completed on grain.
These cattle on feed numbers had been set earlier than China imposed a quota on beef imports. The quota might have an effect on feeding margins as we transfer by way of the yr.
