Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 11/25/13

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on Nov. 1, 2013, according to USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report.
The inventory was 6 percent below Nov. 1, 2012, which was the average of the pre-report estimates published by ThomsonReuters.

Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.39 million, rising 10 percent above 2012 level. That was slightly above the average of analysts’ expectations, but well within the wide range that ThomsonReuters had reported. Net placements were 2.32 million head.

During October, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 720,000. Placements at 600-699 pounds were 335,000. Placements at 700-799 pounds were 584,000. Placements at 800 pounds and greater were 580,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.86 million, 1 percent above 2012 levels, which coincided closely with analysts expectations.

Other disappearance totaled 75,000 during October, 4 percent below 2012.

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