ON FEED REPORT ESTIMATES
Report Setup
ReportUSDA Cattle on Feed
Release Date2026-05-22
Release Time CT14:00
Report CoversMay 1 inventory / April placements and marketings
StatusPRE-REPORT ESTIMATES UPDATED
Source NoteManual analyst estimates entered into Alpha.
Pre-Report Estimates
On Feed Estimate YoY99.5%
Placements Estimate YoY96.2%
Marketings Estimate YoY98.1%
Other Disappearance Estimate YoYN/A
Prior Report Context
Prior Report Date2026-04-17
On Feed Actual YoY99.0%
Placements Actual YoY93.0%
Marketings Actual YoY94.0%
April report showed on-feed down 1%, March placements down 7%, and March marketings down 6%. Tight supply remains supportive, but surprise direction matters.
Actual vs Estimate Surprise Score
StatusWAITING_FOR_RELEASE
VerdictWAITING FOR USDA RELEASE
Score0
On Feed SurpriseN/A
Placements SurpriseN/A
Marketings SurpriseN/A
On Feed ReadWAITING
Placements ReadWAITING
Marketings ReadWAITING
Do not trade report surprise yet. Estimates are event-risk context only.
Alpha Trade Logic
Bullish SurprisePlacements below estimate and/or on-feed below estimate = tighter future supply; supports deferred live cattle unless market sells the news.
Bearish SurprisePlacements above estimate and/or on-feed above estimate = more future supply; bearish deferred contracts if price/OI confirm.
Marketings ReadMarketings above estimate can tighten near-term feedlot supply but may also reflect stronger current slaughter pull. Confirm with cash, boxed beef, and futures reaction.
Do not trade the estimate alone. Use as event-risk context until actual USDA release and futures/OI reaction confirm.