WASHINGTON – US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on May 1, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture. The inventory was 7 percent above May 1, 2010.

During April, placements in feedlots totaled 1.80 million, 10 percent above 2010. This is the second-highest placements for the month of April since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.74 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 450,000, 600-699 lbs. were 310,000, 700-799 lbs. were 490,000, and 800 lbs. and greater were 545,000.


Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.81 million, 3 percent below 2010.

During April, other disappearance totaled 59,000, 35 percent below 2010. This is the lowest other disappearance for the month of April since the series began in 1996.