The USDA says the number of cattle in U.S. feedlots declined during March.
That followed several months of lower placements into those feedlots and ready numbers being pulled ahead into slaughter because of drought in some of the major feeding areas and questions about long-term profitability. The April 1st on feed total of 11.612 million head was down 4% from a year ago.
The number of cattle placed into feedlots in March was 1.992 million head, 1% lower than last year, with more than half of those cattle weighing between 700 and 900 pounds, heading to market this fall.
