Cattle on Feed Rises 2 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Dec/06 - SNS -- Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head came in at 12.0 million head on December 1, 2006, reveals the latest USDA update.

The inventory was 2% above December 1, 2005 and 6% above December 1, 2004. This is the highest December 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during November totalled 1.89 million, 8% below 2005 but 8% above 2004. Net placements were 1.81 million. This is the second lowest placements for the month of November since the series began in 1996. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 555,000, 600-699 pounds were 565,000, 700-799 pounds were 404,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 365,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during November totalled 1.80 million, 6% above 2005 and 10% above 2004. This is the second highest fed cattle marketings for the month of November since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totalled 83,000 during November, 9% below 2005 and 23% below 2004.

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