December 31, 2007

Arizona cattle on feed shoots up by 8 percent while California drops

Arizona reported on December 1 a total of 367,000 head of cattle on feed for the slaughter market, up 8 percent on-year, while California had 555,000 head, down by 3 percent.

Arizona placements totaled 37,000 head on November, up by 7,000 head than a year ago. Last month, 27,000 head were marketed, down 2,000 head from last year.

Meanwhile, California had 555,000 head of cattle on feed, a decline of 3 percent from last year but up 10,000 head from last month.

Placements totaled 73,000 head during November, up 4,000 head from last year. On November, a total of 61,000 head were marketed, up 6,000 head from last year.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the US for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.1 million head on December 1, 2007, gaining a 1-percent rise from 2006. This marks the highest inventory since the series began in 1996.