Cattle On Feed Down 1 Percent
In Seven Main Feeding States

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter Sept. 1 in the seven leading feeding states totaled 7.75 million head, down one percent from a year ago but 17 percent above Sept. 1, 1996.

Seven-state placements for August totaled 1.75 million head, 17 percent below last year and 11 percent fewer than in August of 1996.

August marketings for the seven states came to 1.67 million, down five percent from last year but one percent above the same period two years ago.

Other disappearance totaled 42,000 head, unchanged from a year earlier but 14 percent above August 1996.

USDA’s broader national tally of feedlots with a capacity of 1000 or more head showed 9.02 million head of cattle on feed Sept. 1, one percent below a year ago but 15 percent above the same date two years ago.

August placements in the broader count came to 2.03 million head, 16 percent fewer than last year and 10 percent fewer than in August 1996, net placements 1.98 million head. Placement of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 378,000 head; 600-699 pounds 406,000; 700-799 pounds 630,000; and 800 pounds and heavier 617,000.

August marketings in the larger count came to 1.94 million, four percent below 1997 but one percent above August of 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 52,000 head, up 16 percent from last year and four percent from two years ago.

Statistics for the seven leading states, compared to a year ago:

Cattle on feed: Arizona 200,000 head, up eight percent; California 395,000, up four percent; Colorado 840,000, down nine percent; Iowa 235,000, down 11 percent; Kansas 1,950,000, down six percent; Nebraska 1,520,000, down seven percent; Texas 2,610,000, up nine percent.

Placements: Arizona 19,000, down 58 percent; California 55,000, up 10 percent; Colorado 200,000, down 15 percent; Iowa 39,000, down 24 percent; Kansas 480,000, down 20 percent; Nebraska 450,000, down 10 percent; Texas 510,000, down 19 percent.

Marketings: Arizona 14,000, down 60 percent; California 50,000, up 11 percent; Colorado 195,000, down seven percent; Iowa 48,000, down 13 percent; Kansas 450,000, down 13 percent; Nebraska 380,000, up nine percent; Texas 530,000, down two percent.