Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 12/22/14

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.9 million head on Dec.1, 2014, up 1 percent above Dec. 1, 2013, USDA said Friday.

The average analyst forecast was 10.853 million.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.79 million, 4 percent below 2013, and essentially in line with analysts’ expectations. Net placements were 1.72 million head. In November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000, 600-699 pounds were 440,000, 700-799 pounds were 362,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 440,000.

For the month of November, placements are the second-lowest since the series began in 1996.

Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.48 million, 11 percent below 2013. November marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 74,000 during Nov. 9 percent above 2013.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.