Fed Supplies Down 5 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 9.59 million head on Aug. 1.  The inventory was 5 percent below a year ago and 12 percent below Aug. 1, 2001.

 July placements in feedlots totaled 1.99 million, 8 percent above 2002 and slightly above 2001.  Net placements were 1.93 million. 

Placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 421,000; 600-699 pounds were 414,000; 700-799 pounds were 593,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 564,000.

 Marketings of fed cattle totaled 2.27 million, 4 percent above 2002 and 11 percent above 2001.