Cattle on Feed Drops 2 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - May 18/07 - SNS -- Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head quantityed to 11.3 million head on May 1, 2007, according to this USDA report.

The inventory was 2% below May 1, 2006 but 6% above May 1, 2005. This is the second highest May 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots throughout April totalled 1.57 million, 3% below 2006 and 5% below 2005. Net placements were 1.47 million. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000, 600-699 pounds were 263,000, 700-799 pounds were 430,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 505,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totalled 1.82 million, 2% above 2006 and 1% above 2005. Other disappearance totalled 99,000 during April, 14% above 2006 and 9% above 2005.

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