Modest Increase in Cattle on Feed

WASHINGTON - Jan 21/05 - SNS -- There was a modest increase in the number of cattle and calves on feed in the United States as of January 1, according to the USDA.

Feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head reported having 11.3 million head on hand, slightly above January 1, 2004 and 6% above January 1, 2003.

The inventory included 7.19 million steers and steer calves, up 5% from the previous year. This group accounted for 64% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.05 million head, down 7% from January 1, 2004.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.83 million, 5% above 2003 and 14% above 2002. This is the highest placements for the month of December since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.74 million. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 465,000, 600-699 pounds were 558,000, 700-799 pounds were 489,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 322,000.

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