Feedlot Inventories Steady At Start Of December

Feedlot populations at the start of December were slightly higher than the previous month and slightly lower than the same point last year.  USDA’s monthly Cattle On Feed report indicated that 11,985,000 head were in the nation’s feedlots at the start of November, a net gain of 37,000 head from November but a net decline of 51,000 when compared to a year ago.  While the population figures were in line with analyst estimates, marketings and placements were both above expectations.  1,971,000 head entered feedlots in November, up four percent, while marketings were up five percent at 1,873,000 head.