December 24, 2012

US cattle, calves on feed decrease 6%

US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 11.3 million head on December 1, 2012, down 6% on-year.

Placements in feedlots during November totalled 1.92 million, 6% below 2011. Net placements were 1.84 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 645,000, 600-699 pounds were 450,000, 700-799 pounds were 375,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 453,000.

Marketing of fed cattle during November totalled 1.76 million, 1% below 2011. Other disappearance totalled 88,000 during November, 9% below November 2011.