United States-Cattle numbers on feed lots December 2008.

UNITED STATES.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on January 1, 2009. The inventory was 7 percent below January 1, 2008 and 6 percent below January 1, 2007. The inventory included 7.07 million steers and steer calves, down 8 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 63 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.10 million head, down 6 percent from 2008.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.65 million, 3 percent below 2007 and 4 percent below 2006. Net placements were 1.57 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 425,000, 600-699 pounds were 490,000, 700-799 pounds were 407,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 325,000