October 25, 2010

US cattle on feed up marginally in October

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the US for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 10.8 million heads on October 1, 2010, up 3% from last year.

The inventory included 6.60 million steers and steer calves, up 3% from the previous year. This group accounted for 61% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.12 million heads, also up 3% from 2009.

Placements in feedlots during September totalled 2.46 million, 3% above 2009. Net placements were 2.41 million heads. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were at 510,000 heads; 600-699 pounds were at 455,000 heads; 700-799 pounds were at 602,000 heads; and 800 pounds or more were at 895,000 heads.

Marketings of fed cattle during September totalled 1.80 million, 2% above 2009. Other disappearance totalled 54,000 during September, 15% above 2009.