Daily News Update, Nov. 19, 2007

Texas cattle on feed numbers up slightly

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Texas feedlots with capacity of 1,000 head or more totaled 3.0 million head on Nov. 1, up slightly from a year ago.

According to the monthly report released by the Texas Field Office, the estimate was up 6 percent from the Oct. 1 level. Producers placed 700,000 head in commercial feedlots during October, up 19 percent from both a year ago and last month.

Texas commercial feeders marketed 530,000 head during October, up 4 percent from last year and up 10 percent from last month.

On Oct. 1, there were 2.57 million head of cattle and calves on feed in the Northern High Plains, 86 percent of the state’s total. The number on feed across the area was up 2 percent from last year and up 6 percent from the October total.

October placements in the Northern High Plains totaled 596,000 head, up 17 percent from the September total. Marketings were up 9 percent from last month to 451,000 head.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more totaled 11.8 million head on Nov. 1, 2007. This inventory was 2 percent below Nov. 1, 2006.

Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.72 million head, 12 percent above October 2006. October placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 855,000 head; 600-699 pounds totaled 745,000 head; 700-799 pounds totaled 556,000 head; 800 pounds and greater totaled 560,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 1.88 million head, 6 percent above 2006.