Overview
- Thursday's reports show feedlots held about 2.097–2.098 million head at the start of October while January–September slaughter was roughly 10% below 2025 levels.
- September slaughter fell about 11% year‑on‑year to roughly 1.045 million head and SENASA transit records show transfers to plants dropped about 11.2% for the month.
- Average carcass weights rose to about 247 kg in September and averaged near 240 kg for January–September, which partially offsets the drop in headcount but not total meat output.
- Industry groups say the lower kill rate has left processing capacity underused at under 70% and that rising input costs plus stagnant cattle prices are squeezing plant margins.
- The pattern reverses the usual seasonal cycle because producers are extending feedlot finishing to add weight, a shift that can tighten short‑term domestic supply and alter export flows.