Cattle on Feed Drops 2%

WASHINGTON - May 17/02 - SNS -- The USDA says the number of cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.96 million head on May 1, 2002. The inventory was 2% below May 1, 2001 but slightly above May 1, 2000.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.45 million, 6% below 2001 and 15% below 2000. Net placements were 1.37 million. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 210,000, 600-699 pounds were 255,000, 700-799 pounds were 512,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 476,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.99 million, 10% above 2001 and 6% above 2000. Other disappearance totaled 83,000 during April, 7% below 2001 and 8% below 2000.

          Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and
                 Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,
                         United States, May 1, 2000-2002
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                                   :          Number          :  2002 as % of
                Item               :--------------------------------------------
                                   :  2000  :  2001  :  2002  :  2000  :  2001
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                                   : ------ 1,000 Head ------       Percent
                                   :
On Feed Apr 1 1/                   : 11,202   11,523   11,577    103      100
Placed on Feed During Apr          :  1,707    1,551    1,453     85       94
Fed Cattle Marketed During Apr     :  1,875    1,815    1,991    106      110
Other Disappearance During Apr 2/  :     90       89       83     92       93
On Feed May 1 1/                   : 10,944   11,170   10,956    100       98
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1/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass
    that will grade select or better.
2/  Includes death loss, movement from feedlots to pasture, and shipments to
    other feedlots for further feeding.