March 24, 2008

US cattle on feed totals 11.9 million heads

The US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on March 1, 2008. 

The US inventory inched 2 percent above 2007 numbers, but was 1 percent below 2006.  This is the second highest March 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots on February totaled 1.72 million, 4 percent above 2007 and 9 percent above 2006. Net placements were 1.66 million head. 

During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 330,000, while 600-699 pounds were 385,000, the 700-799 pounds were 533,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 475,000.

Marketings of fed cattle in February totaled 1.78 million, 4 percent higher than 2007 and 11 percent above 2006.