December 19, 2011
US cattle on feed grows 4% on-year
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in the US market in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more heads totalled to 12.1 million heads on December 1, 2011, 4% higher than last year's.
This is the second highest December 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 2.04 million, 4% above 2010. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 755,000, 600-699 pounds were 499,000, 700-799 pounds were 375,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 410,000.
Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.77 million, slightly below 2010.
Other disappearance totaled 102,000 during November, 65% above 2010.
