WASHINGTON – Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter totaled 10.5 million head on Sept. 1, 2017, 4 percent above inventory reported on Sept. 1, 2016, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the US Dept. of Agriculture said in its Cattle on Feed report. The report is for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head.

In August, placements in feedlots advanced 3 percent to 1.93 million head. Net placements were 1.88 million head, according to NASS.

August placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 360,000 head, 600-699 lbs. were 285,000 head, 700-799 lbs. were 418,000 head, 800-899 lbs. were 485,000 head, 900-999 lbs. were 270,000 head, and 1,000 lbs. and greater were 110,000 head, NASS said.

Marketings of fed cattle during August were ahead of 2016 totals by 6 percent, or 1.98 million head, which was slightly below the June total marketings. Meanwhile, other disappearance totaled 49,000 head during August, 20 percent above 2016.

September 25, 2017 – By: Meat + Poultry