December 6, 2004

US South Dakota Sees Decline in Cattle on Feed

The 1,000-plus capacity feedlots in South Dakota reported 169,000 cattle on feed for the slaughter market on Nov. 1, according to the South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, a branch of the US Department of Agriculture.

The figure was down 8,000 head from one year ago but up 26,000 head from October. Placements on feed during October totaled 65,000 head, down 3,000 head from last year but up 24,000 head from September.

Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 38,000 head, up 4,000 head from last year and up 3,000 head from September.