Cattle on Feed & Placements Decline

Cattle on feed on and placements in feedlots earlier this month declined year-over-year, that’s according to the USDA's most recent Cattle on Feed Report.

About 11.5 million head of cattle and calves were on feed at the beginning of the month, which the USDA said is down 2% on an annual basis.  Placements last month totaled 1.74 million head, down 5% from the same month a year ago.

The highest marketing level came in the 700–799-pound class, totaling 455,000 head. Under 600 pounds totaled 360,000 head, while 600-699 pounds totaled 365,000 head. Cattle placements between 800-899 pounds totaled 381,000 head.

Placements included about 105,000 head weighing 900-999 pounds, and 70,000 head weighing 1,000 pounds or higher.  The Department also said marketings of fed cattle in January plunged 13% on an annual basis, and other disappearance fell by 8% to 55,000 head.

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