Cattle on Feed Drops 7 Percent in U.S.

WASHINGTON - Jan 23/09 - 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 11.2 million head on January 1, 2009, according to today's USDA update on the sector.

The inventory was 7% below January 1, 2008 and 6% below January 1, 2007. The inventory included 7.07 million steers and steer calves, down 8% from a year ago. This group accounted for 63% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.10 million head, down 6% from 2008.

Placements in feedlots during December totalled 1.65 million, 3% below 2007 and 4% below 2006. Net placements were 1.57 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 425,000, 600-699 pounds were 490,000, 700-799 pounds were 407,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 325,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during December totalled 1.68 million, 2% above 2007 and 4% above 2006. Other disappearance totalled 76,000 during December, 31% above 2007 but 14% below 2006.

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