# USDA reports show continued shrinking of U.S. cattle herd as soaring prices continue - Agweek | #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets

> USDA's cattle on feed and cattle inventory reports showed the US herd still shrinking, with July feedlot placements down 8% from last year against expectations of a smaller drop. Live and feeder cattle futures had already climbed to record highs before the reports.

- Date: 2025-07-25 · published 2025-07-25T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: report · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/23892-usda-reports-show-continued-shrinking-of-u-s-cattle-herd-as-soaring-prices
- Commodities: [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md), [Feeder Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/FCATTLE.md)

## Why it matters

Placements falling more than expected signal tighter feeder supplies and continued strong cattle prices, reducing feedlot demand for grain and meal.

## Read by commodity

- FCATTLE: bullish ▲
- LCATTLE: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LCATTLE | 2022-02-01 | [Report shows smallest US beef herd in 7 years - Agweek \| #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42655-report-shows-smallest-us-beef-herd-in-7-years-agweek-1-source-for-agriculture.md) | +1.8% | +2.6% |
| LCATTLE | 2023-06-05 | [Cattle numbers down 3% this year, market prices on the rise - Agweek \| #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/35617-cattle-numbers-down-3-this-year-market-prices-on-the-rise-agweek-1-source-for.md) | +1.7% | +2.7% |
| LCATTLE | 2025-07-29 | [Cattle Prices Predicted to Continue Climbing: Breaking Down the Latest USDA Reports](https://feedsoft.ai/events/23890-cattle-prices-predicted-to-continue-climbing-breaking-down-the-latest-usda.md) | +1.5% | +3.7% |
| LCATTLE | 2022-08-09 | [Shrinking U.S. cattle herd signals more pain from high beef prices](https://feedsoft.ai/events/39969-shrinking-u-s-cattle-herd-signals-more-pain-from-high-beef-prices.md) | +1.8% | +3.0% |
| LCATTLE | 2021-10-26 | [New Cattle Feedlot Report Points to Shrinking Beef Cattle Herd - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44700-new-cattle-feedlot-report-points-to-shrinking-beef-cattle-herd-ag-information.md) | +2.3% | +7.3% |
| FCATTLE | 2022-02-01 | [Report shows smallest US beef herd in 7 years - Agweek \| #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42655-report-shows-smallest-us-beef-herd-in-7-years-agweek-1-source-for-agriculture.md) | +1.2% | -4.1% |
| FCATTLE | 2023-06-05 | [Cattle numbers down 3% this year, market prices on the rise - Agweek \| #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/35617-cattle-numbers-down-3-this-year-market-prices-on-the-rise-agweek-1-source-for.md) | -1.2% | +2.5% |
| FCATTLE | 2025-07-29 | [Cattle Prices Predicted to Continue Climbing: Breaking Down the Latest USDA Reports](https://feedsoft.ai/events/23890-cattle-prices-predicted-to-continue-climbing-breaking-down-the-latest-usda.md) | +0.6% | +8.2% |

## Sources

- agweek.com: https://www.agweek.com/livestock/cattle/usda-reports-show-continued-shrinking-of-u-s-cattle-herd-as-soaring-prices-continue

---
Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.