Cattle on Feed Updates Across Two Reports

Nov 27, 2025

By Josh Maples

USDA released two months’ worth of cattle on feed data on Friday with the November Cattle on Feed report that backfilled missing data from the government shutdown. Cattle on feed as of November 1 was 2.2 percent (260,000 head) lower than it was a year ago. Placements of cattle into feedlots was 10 percent lower during October 2025 than it was in October 2024. Marketings were down 8 percent from a year ago. For the first 10 months of 2025, total placements were 17.6 million head. This is 6.4 percent below the same period of 2024 (18.8 million head).

There continued to be significant regional differences in cattle on feed changes. The number of cattle on feed in Texas on November 1 was 8.7 percent below a year ago and Colorado was 13.2 percent below year ago. However, the other top 5 feeding states are up from a year ago – Nebraska up 2.3 percent, Kansas up 2.1 percent, and Iowa up 4.5 percent. October 2025 placements were lower in all of these states except for Iowa.

Source : osu.edu

Video: Nutrition and Sow Livability - Dr. Mark Knauer

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Mark Knauer, Swine Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University, discusses nutritional strategies to improve sow livability and piglet outcomes. He shares research insights on vitamin programs, antioxidant support, and nutrition-based approaches in commercial production systems. Dr. Knauer highlights opportunities to reduce mortality, enhance sow longevity, and improve overall performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Disease challenges create oxidative stress, and replenishing antioxidants can help to support sow and piglet livability.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Mark Knauer / mark-knauer-0475b921 is a Swine Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University, where he conducts applied research to improve sow productivity, longevity, and herd performance. He earned his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and previously served as Director of Animal Science at the National Pork Board. Learn more from Dr. Mark Knauer on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.