United States-Catlle feed lot numbers down.

UNITED STATES-FEEDLOT NUMBERS DOWN 6%.

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on February 1, 2009. The inventory was 6% below Feb. 1, 2008.

Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.86 million, 4% above 2008. Net placements were 1.79 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 380,000, 600-699 pounds were 505,000, 700-799 pounds were 553,000 and 800 pounds and greater were 420,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.74 million, 6 percent below 2008. This is the lowest fed cattle marketings for the month of January since the series began in 1996.