United States Cattle on Feed down 6 percent

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on February 1, 2013. The inventory was 6 percent below February 1, 2012.

Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.88 million, 2 percent above 2012. Net placements were 1.80 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 445,000, 600-699 pounds were 395,000, 700-799 pounds were 535,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 501,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.92 million, 6 percent above 2012.

Other disappearance totaled 79,000 during January, 2 percent below 2012.

2012 Cattle on Feed and Annual Size Group Estimates
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 83.8 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2013, down from 84.0 on January 1, 2012.

Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2012 represented 88.6 percent of all cattle marketed from feedlots in the United States, up from 87.7 percent during 2011.

Special Note
This report contains the 2012 monthly cattle on feed estimates for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head. Also included are the United States number of feedlots, inventory, and annual marketings by size group for 2011 and 2012. Data for total United States capacity of 1,000 or more head feedlots are also published in this issue.

1. Ag markets posted mixed showing on Tuesday
2. Oil ends lower, pares losses as dollar weakens
3. Plains storms cause minor harm to Oklahoma/Kansas wheat
4. Cornell genetic testing process cuts cost by up to 75 percent
5. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
6. USDA approves newly formulated PULMO-GUARD vaccine for cattle

1. Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early
2. New animal identification rules aid disease traceability
3. Corn planting pace turns from record slow to record fast
4. U.S. cattle placements rise in April as feed costs subside
5. Survey reveals most Americans in favor of COOL
6. Ag markets were mixed to start the new week

1. Meat and climate change: How significant is the impact?
2. BeefTalk: How do we get the next generation to raise beef?
3. 2014 Farm Bill: Are we near an agreement?
4. Farm bill and immigration reform action needed
5. Boxed beef hits record highs, cattle weak to lower
6. Survey reveals most Americans in favor of COOL