Texas Cattle on Feed up slightly

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Texas feedlots with capacity of 1 thousand head or more totaled 2.84 million head on March 1. According to the monthly report released by the Texas Field Office, the estimate was up slightly from last year, but down 2 percent from February 1, 2012. Producers placed 380 thousand head in commercial feedlots during February, unchanged from last year, but down 5 percent from the January 2012 total.

Texas commercial feeders marketed 415 thousand head during February, up 2 percent from last year, but unchanged from last month.

On March 1, there were 2.41 million head of cattle and calves on feed in the Northern High Plains, 85 percent of the state=s total. The number on feed across the area was up 1 percent from last year but down 2 percent from the February total.

February placements in the Northern High Plains totaled 343 thousand head, down 1 percent from the January total. Marketings were up 2 percent from last month to 360 thousand head.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States in feedlots with a capacity of 1 thousand head or more totaled 11.7 million head on March 1, 2012. This inventory was 3 percent above March 1, 2011.

Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.71 million head, 3 percent above February 2011. February placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 400 thousand head; 600-699 pounds totaled 335 thousand head; 700-799 pounds totaled 469 thousand head; 800 pounds and greater totaled 510 thousand head. Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.76 million head, 2 percent below 2011.

1. E85 consumption remains the same despite incentives
2. Ag markets moved mostly higher Wednesday morning
3. Wet conditions threaten hay crop as harvest is delayed
4. UNL crop-residue presentations available online
5. Cow slaughter through May likely to exceed same period in 2012
6. Beef Quiz: Growing beef demand

1. Will Smith dethroned in latest Peterson Farm Bros. parody
2. 3,000 pounds of copper wire stolen from Oklahoma ranch
3. Changes in U.S.-Mexican cattle and beef trade
4. Crude oil expected to peak and cost of electricity to go down
5. Peterson Brothers: What summer vacation?
6. Experts weigh in on lowest beef supply in 60 years

1. COOL isn’t working
2. Feedyard margins a train wreck, packers cozy
3. 2100: 11 billion mouths to feed
4. New tools emerging to measure soil health
5. Changes in U.S.-Mexican cattle and beef trade
6. How to grow beef demand