Cattle on Feed Numbers Rise

WASHINGTON - Jul 21/06 - SNS -- The number of cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States totaled 10.9 million head on July 1, 2006 for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, according to the USDA.

The inventory was 5% above July 1, 2005 and 7% above July 1, 2004. This is the second highest July 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. The inventory included 7.09 million steers and steer calves, up 4% from the previous year. This group accounted for 65% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.71 million head, up 5% from 2005.

Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.95 million, 10% above 2005 and 18% above 2004. This is the second highest placements for the month of June since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.89 million. During June, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 565,000, 600-699 pounds were 430,000, 700-799 pounds were 456,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 500,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during June totaled 2.20 million, 6% above 2005 and up 6% from 2004. This is the second highest fed cattle marketings for the month of June since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 63,000 during June, unchanged from 2005 but 10% below 2004.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here