May 30, 2013

US cattle on feed decline by 3%

US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 10.7 million head on May 1, down 3% compared to the same period of 2012.

Placements in feedlots during April totalled 1.75 million, 15% above 2012. Net placements were 1.68 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000, 600-699 pounds were 270,000, 700-799 pounds were 455,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 650,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totalled 1.86 million, 2% above 2012. Other disappearance totalled 69,000 during April, 12% below 2012.