THE U.S. Department of Agriculture released three key reports Friday, revealing the latest data for cattle on feed, cold storage stocks and chicken and egg production.

According to the latest “Cattle on Feed” report, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in U.S. feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.0 million head on August 1, 2015, a 3% increase from last year. 

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.55 million head, 1% below 2014. Net placements were 1.49 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 365,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 327,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 620,000 head. USDA said placements were the lowest for July since the series began in 1996.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.73 million head, 3% below 2014. Marketings were also the lowest for July since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 56,000 head during July, 11% below 2014.

July egg production decreases

USDA reported egg production totaled 7.67 billion during July 2015, which is 10% below last year. The total number of layers during July 2015 averaged 329 million, a 9% decrease from last year. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,333 eggs, down 1% from July 2014.

All layers in the U.S. decreased 9% from last year to 329 million. Rate of lay per day on August 1, 2015, averaged 75.0 eggs per 100 layers, down 1% from August 1, 2014.

Egg-type chicks hatched during July 2015 increase slightly by 1% from last year to a total of 42.6 million. Eggs in incubators totaled 44.4 million on August 1, 2015, up 12% from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders decreased 3% from July 2014 to a total of 267,000 during July 2015.

Broiler-type chicks hatched during July 2015 totaled 805 million, up 2% from July 2014. Eggs in incubators totaled 646 million on August 1, 2015, a slight increase from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 7.43 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during July 2015, up 20% from July 2014.

Cold storage reveals large supplies

The USDA reported total red meat supplies in freezers decreased 1% from the previous month but increased 21% from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers fell 4% from the previous month but rose 24% from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up slightly from the previous month and up 19% from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 47% from last month and 63% from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on July 31, 2015 increased 6% from the previous month and 13% from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken increased 6% from the previous month and 22% from last year. 

Total pounds of turkey in freezers rose 7% from last month and 1% from July 31, 2014.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on July 31, 2015 were up 2% from the previous month and up 10% from July 31, 2014. Butter stocks, on the other hand, were down 1% from last month but up 41% from a year ago.