USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report came in much as analysts had expected

After a number of surprises in recent months, USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report came in much as analysts had expected. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on Feb. 1, 2017, up 1 percent from Feb. 1, 2016, just slightly higher than analysts’ average estimate, according to a pre-report survey by Urner Barry.Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.98 million head, 11 percent above 2016, also in line with analysts’ expectations.Net placements were 1.93 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 380,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 445,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 585,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 410,000, 900-999 pounds were 116,000, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 45,000 head.New placement weight categories available starting this month are 800-899 pounds, 900-999 pounds, and 1,000 pounds and greater. Placements in both those categories were up slightly from a year ago. By weight category, the largest increases in placements compared to a year ago were in the 600-699 pounds and 700-799 pounds ranges. Placements in the 800-899 category were down slightly.Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.75 million head, 10 percent above 2016 and in line with analysts’ expectations.   Other disappearance totaled 53,000 head during January, which was 5 percent below 2016.