Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter at feedlots with capacities of 1,000+ head, totalled 11.7 million on April 1, 2008.
The inventory was slightly above April 1, 2007, but 1% lower than April 1, 2006, and was the second highest April inventory since records began in 1996.
Export sales of raw hides for the four weeks under review showed China in their regular top position with 1,135,900 (967,500, 780,200, 692,700) hides.
Hong Kong was in third place with 202,900 (112,500, 114,000, 40,200), giving the region a combined total of 1,338,800 (1,080,000, 894,200, 732,900).
Korea was again in second place with 567,400 (519,600, 424,799, 442,000). Taiwan came fourth with 119,300 (178,300, 226,900, 78,599) followed by Thailand 103,000 (136,800, 54,300, 49,200) and Mexico with 80,200 (137,900, 150,300, 78,000).
Vietnam purchased 64,800 (126,000, 70,300, 33,300), Japan 48,800 (50,300, 57,700, 68,400); Italy 38,700 (38,300, 46,500, 133,100); and India 20,000.
Brazil came in for 4,800, ahead of Canada with 3,200 (2,400, 2,100, 2,300); Spain 1,600 (1,100), Saudi Arabia 900 (900) and Ecuador 800.
In addition to the raw hides, Italy also contracted for 7,300 calf and kip, Japan for 5,100 (19,200), Hong Kong for 2,500 kip, Holland for 2,000 kip and India for 1,800.
Sales of wet-blue for export during the period under review showed China with 201,200 (230,600, 69,200, 83,600) followed by Hong Kong with 124,500 (70,000, 70,700, 64,100) giving a combined total of 325,700 (300,600, 139,900, 147,700).
Mexico was in third place with 76,300 (79,300, 68,100, 57,700) followed by the Dominican Republic with 58,700 (69,600, 70,200, 58,600), Italy with 41,000 (9,500, 32,000, 72,600) and Taiwan with 37,600 (84,900, 81,700, 15,500).
Korea contracted for 31,100 (18,100, 49,500, 10,800), Vietnam 21,100 (10,900, 10,400, 35,700), Thailand 19,500, Indonesia 13,200, Canada 5,500 (300, 5,800), Germany and India both with 2,000 and Holland with 1,700.
Hong Kong purchased 4,065,000lb of wet-blue splits, China 521,500lb, making a grand total of 4,586,500lb.
