Cattle on Feed Drops 5 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Oct 17/08 - 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 10.4 million head on October 1, 2008, shows the current USDA sector report.

The inventory was 5% below October 1, 2007 and 9% below October 1, 2006. The inventory included 6.51 million steers and steer calves, down 5% from the previous year. This group accounted for 63% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.85 million head, down 5% from 2007.

Placements in feedlots throughout September totalled 2.28 million, 6% below 2007 but 2% above 2006. Net placements were 2.23 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 445,000, 600-699 pounds were 415,000, 700-799 pounds were 541,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 880,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during September totalled 1.81 million, 7% above 2007 and 3% above 2006. Other disappearance totalled 51,000 during September, 6% below 2007 and 25% below 2006.

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