Fed Cattle Are Down 3 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 9.83 million head on Sept. 1.  This was 3 percent below the same time a year ago and 9 percent below Sept. 1, 2001.  The last time the total number of cattle on feed was at or above a year earlier was in April of 2002, according to the Livestock Marketing Information Center.

August placements in feedlots totaled 2.37 million, 7 percent above 2002 and 8 percent above 2001.  Net placements were 2.31 million. Monthly placements have been above last year each month since February as higher prices and drought conditions have encouraged many producers to place cattle into feedlots.  Only Arizona and Colorado reported placements below a year ago.

During August, all weight categories reported a year-to-year increase. Placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 592,000; 600-699 pounds were 529,000; 700-799 pounds were 659,000; and 800 pounds and greater were 594,000.

August marketings of fed cattle totaled 2.08 million, 3 percent below 2002.

— LMIC and USDA