Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/24/11

USDA reported on Friday the number of cattle placed on feed during December and total cattle on feed Jan. 1 at slightly higher rates than the average market analyst estimate.  

In its monthly Cattle on Feed report, USDA put cattle placements in feedlots during December at1.80 million, 16 percent above December 2009. On average, analysts were expecting a 13.7 percent increase, according to a Dow Jones survey.  

USDA reported cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in the United States on feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head at 11.5 million head on Jan. 1, up 5 percent from a year ago. The average market analyst forecast was for a 4.2 percent increase.

During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 480,000, while 600-699 pounds totaled 495,000. Placements at 700-799 pounds totaled  440,000, and 800 pounds and greater totaled 380,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.83 million, 5 percent above 2009 and in line with market expectations. USDA noted this was the second highest fed cattle marketings for the month of December since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 65,000 during December, 10 percent below 2009.

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