US cattle and calves on feed for slaughter from feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totalled 11.3 million head on December 1, 2008, down 6% from a year ago and 5% below December 1, 2006. Placements in feedlots during November totalled 2.02 million, 5% below 2007 but 7% above 2006.
According to meatingplace.com, during November, the trend of placing heavier cattle on feed continued. Placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lb totalled 565,000, down from 685,000 placed at that weight a year ago. Those placed weighing 600-699 lb decreased to 630,000 from 660,000 in November last year. Cattle placed weighing 700-799 lb rose to 450,000 from 420,000 a year ago, while those placed at 800 lb or greater grew to 370,000 from 360,000 in November, 2007
