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The latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report shows the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head was 11.6 million head on April 1, 2023. That is 4 percent below April 1st last year.
Rod Bain has a story looking at what is behind the lower number of cattle and calves in feedlots.
The April 1st inventory included 7.12 million steers and steer calves, down 6 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 61 percent of the total inventory.
Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.50 million head, down 2 percent from 2022.
Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.99 million head, 1 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 310,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 540,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 517,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 175,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 60,000 head.
Marketing’s of fed cattle during March totaled 1.98 million head, 1 percent below 2022.