August 24, 2004

U.S. Cattle On Feed Up 3%

US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 9.85 million head on August 1, 2004. The inventory was 3 percent above August 1, 2003 but 3 percent below August 1, 2002.

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.72 million, 14 percent below 2003 and 7 percent below 2002. Net placements were 1.66 million. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 440,000; 600-699 pounds were 325,000; 700-799 pounds were 499,000; while 800 pounds and greater were 456,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.93 million, 15 percent below 2003 and 12 percent below 2002.

Other disappearance totaled 58,000 during July, which is 3 percent below 2003 but 29 percent above 2002.