April 25, 2011
 

US cattle on feed increases in March

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the US for feedlots with a quantity of 1,000 or more head increased 5% from the previous year and accounted 11.3 million head on April 1, 2011, and this was in sync with what market analysts were forecasting.

The inventory included 7.12 million steers and steer calves, up 7% from the previous year and accounted for 63% of the total inventory, according to USDA's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.1 million head, up 2% from a year ago.
 

Placements in feedlots during March totalled 1.92 million, 3% more this time last year. Market analysts were expecting a 4% increase, according to a Dow Jones poll.

Net placements were 1.87 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totalled 380,000, while those placed at 600-699 pounds totalled 360,000. Placements of cattle and calves weighing 700-799 pounds totalled 588,000, and those placed at 800 pounds and greater totalled 590,000.

Marketing of fed cattle during March totalled 1.99 million, 4% above March, 2010 and exceeding market expectations. Analysts, on average, were expecting just a 3% increase.

USDA said this was the second highest fed cattle marketing for the month of March since the series began in 1996.