Feedlot Populations Lower Amid Stronger Placement Figures

Cattle producers are moving more cattle into feedlots, even as the lots’ populations continue sliding lower. The monthly Cattle on Feed update from USDA indicates that 11,552,000 head were on hand to start June, down three percent from a year ago and 65,000 lower than a month ago. Placements were up five percent year-over-year at 1,955,000 head, while marketings increased by two percent to 1,946,000.