Cattle on Feed Jump 7%

WASHINGTON - Aug 18/06 - SNS -- The number of cattle and calves on feed in the United States rose 7% in July to 10.8 million head in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more livestock, according to the USDA.

The August 1 inventory was 7% above August 1, 2005 and 10% above August 1, 2004. This is the second highest August 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.96 million, 17% above 2005 and 14% above 2004. Net placements were 1.91 million. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 570,000, 600-699 pounds were 403,000, 700-799 pounds were 490,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 500,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.96 million, 2% above 2005 and 2% above 2004. Other disappearance totaled 58,000 during July, 5% below 2005 but unchanged from 2004.

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