United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent

WASHINGTON, DC – Cattle and calves on feed in feedlots for the U.S. slaughter market totaled 11.9 million head at the end of January. The inventory was 2 percent above February 1, 2019. As for placements, USDA suggests a cattle crop of 1.96 million head, 1 percent below last year, while net placements were 1.9 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 455,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 535,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 400,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 105,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 70,000 head. January marketings of fed cattle totaled 1.93 million head, 1 percent above 2019, and disappearance totaled 54,000 head during January, 11 percent below 2019.