Iowa Cattle on Feed up 1 percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1.39 million on March 1, 2012 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office. The inventory is up 1 percent from February 1, 2012 and up 1 percent from March 1, 2011. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head had 670,000 head on feed, up 3 percent from last month and up 3 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 720,000 head on feed, down 1 percent from last month and down 1 percent from last year.

Placements during February totaled 135,000 head, a decrease of 39 percent from last month but up 6 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head placed 85,000 head, down 17 percent from last month but up 20 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 50,000 head. This is down 57 percent from last month and down 9 percent from last year.

Marketings for February were 119,000 head, down 10 percent from last month and down 15 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head marketed 62,000 head, down 11 percent from last month and down 22 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 57,000 head, down 8 percent from last month and down 5 percent from last year. Other disappearance totaled 6,000 head.

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