Cattle on Feed Rises 2 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Feb 22/08 - 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 12.0 million head on February 1, 2008, according to the latest USDA report.

The inventory was 2% above February 1, 2007 but 1% below February 1, 2006. This is the second highest February 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during January totalled 1.79 million, 6% above 2007 but 19% below 2006. Net placements were 1.73 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 400,000, 600-699 pounds were 467,000, 700-799 pounds were 525,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 395,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during January totalled 1.86 million, 1% above 2007 and 3% above 2006. Other disappearance totalled 60,000 during January, 38% below 2007 and 28% below 2006.

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