October Placements Very Low

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on Nov. 1.  This was 3 percent above a year ago and 5 percent above 2002’s numbers. 

October placements in feedlots totaled 2.7 million, 3 percent below 2003 and 13 percent above 2002.  This is the second lowest placements for October since the series began in 1996.

Placements weighing 700 pounds or more were up. Placements of cattle under 700 pounds were down.

October marketings of fed cattle  totaled 1.8 million, 3 percent below 2003.  With two less slaughter days in October 2004 than 2003, daily average feedlot marketings were  6 percent above 2003.

The Canadian Cattle on Feed data released on Nov. 12 showed a significant ramp-up in on-feed numbers.   As of Nov. 1, the Canadian on-feed inventory was 9 percent above a year ago, up about 79,000 head.  That compares to a year-to-year increase as of Oct. 1 of only 4 percent.  The Canadian data put  placements and marketing well above 2003’s. 

Source: USDA and Livestock Marketing Information Center