May 21, 2007

US cattle on feed falls by 2 percent in first week of May; feedlots up 3 percent in April

The United States cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market for feedlots fell by 2 percent or 1,000 heads from last year's levels, totalling 11.3 million during the first week of May this year.

On the other hand, placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.57 million, 3 percent below 2006 and 5 percent below 2005 while net placements were 1.47 million. In April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000; 600-699 pounds were 263,000; 700-799 pounds were 430,000; and 800 pounds and greater were 505,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totalled 1.82 million, 2 percent above 2006 and 1 percent above 2005.