Cattle on Feed Rises 2 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Mar 20/08 - SNS -- Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 11.9 million head on March 1, 2008, shows today's USDA data.

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

Placements in feedlots during February totalled 1.72 million, 4% above 2007 and 9% above 2006. Net placements were 1.66 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 330,000, 600-699 pounds were 385,000, 700-799 pounds were 533,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 475,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during February totalled 1.78 million, 4% above 2007 and 11% above 2006. Other disappearance totalled 60,000 during February, 20% below 2007 and 18% below 2006.

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