April 23, 2013

Placements in feedlots have reached 1.90 million during March 2013, a 6% rise over 2012 and well above analysts' expectations that placements would drop by an average of about 1%.

Net placements in March were 1.82 million head, USDA said.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in the US totaled 10.9 million head on April 1, a 5% drop from year-ago inventory. On average, analysts were expecting about a 6% decrease.

The inventory included 6.91 million steers and steer calves, down 4% from 2012. This group accounted for 63% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.93 million head, down 8% from 2012.

During March, feedlot placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 410,000; 600-699 pounds types at 315,000; 700-799 pounds types at 540,000; and 800 pounds and above types at 634,000.

Marketing of fed cattle reached 1.77 million during March, 8% below 2012. On average, analysts were expecting a 6.5% decrease.

Other disappearance totaled 76,000 during March, 10% above 2012.