June 26, 2007

US June cattle slaughter slightly higher on-year

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 11.3 million head on June 1, 2007 is one percent above last year and 5 percent from June 1, 2005. This is the highest June 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during May totalled 2.16 million, 13 percent above 2006 but 3 percent below 2005. Net placements were 2.06 million. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 420,000; 600-699 pounds were 374,000; 700-799 pounds were 645,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 720,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 2.09 million, 3 percent below 2006 but 4 percent above 2005.