(NAFB.com) – The U.S. Cattle on Feed Report showed the U.S. beef herd was down two percent from the previous year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head of cattle totaled 11.6 million head on March 1, 2025. Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.55 million head, 18 percent below the total in 2024.Net placements totaled 1.49 million head. Placements of cattle and calves under 600 pounds hit 295,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 275,000 head, 700-799 pounds totaled 415,000 head, 800-899 pounds reached 389,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 130,000 head and 1,000 pounds and greater were 50,000 head. Fed cattle marketings in February totaled 1.63 million head, nine percent below last year. Other disappearances totaled 60,000 head during February, seven percent above 2024. A DTN analyst says there is no doubt the report should be called “bullish.”