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USDA: Cattle on Feed

Released January 20, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

United States Cattle on Feed Up 3 Percent
 


USDA’s monthly cattle on feed numbers came in close to pre-report expectations and reflect the continued shrinking of the U.S. herd.
December placements onto feed were reported at 1.68 million head, down 6% from December 2010, with most of the total cattle weighing less than 700 pounds. By weight, placements weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000 head, the 600 to 699 pound category came out at 390,000 head, 700 to 799 pounders were 365,000 head, and placements weighing over 800 pounds totaled 378,000 head.
Marketings came out at 1.8 million head, 2% less than last year, and other disappearances were up 40% at 91,000 head following rough winter weather in some of the key U.S. feeding areas.


The total number of cattle on feed as of January 1 was 11.9 million head, 3% above a year ago.
Out of that total, 61% were steers and steer calves, 1% more than this time last year, and the heifer and heifer calf inventory increased 6%.




Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for
feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on
January 1, 2012. The inventory was 3 percent above January 1, 2011. The
inventory included 7.28 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from
the previous year. This group accounted for 61 percent of the total
inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.50 million head, up
6 percent from 2011.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.68 million, 6 percent below
2010. Net placements were 1.59 million head. During December, placements of
cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000, 600-699 pounds
were 390,000, 700-799 pounds were 365,000, and 800 pounds and greater were
378,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.80 million, 2 percent
below 2010.

Other disappearance totaled 91,000 during December, 40 percent above 2010.

To view full report click here


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