Cattle On Feed Up Three Percent
In Seven Main Feeding States

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter April 1 in the seven leading feeding states totaled 8.89 million head, up three percent from the same day last year but slightly below the figure for April 1, 1997.

Seven-state placements during March came to 1.73 million, 22 percent above the same period last year and up two percent from March of 1997.

March marketings for the seven states totaled 1.66 million, five percent above last year and 11 percent above two years ago.

Other disappearance in the seven states during March amounted to 52,000, down 25 percent from 1998 and 16 percent from 1997.

USDA's broader inventory of feedlots with a capacity of 1000 or more head showed 10.38 million on feed April 1, also three percent above last year but slightly fewer than two years ago.

Placements in the broader tally totaled 2.02 million, up 18 percent from last year and three percent from 1997; net placements were 1.95 million. Placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 357,000 head; 600-699 pounds 468,000; 700-799 pounds 739,000; and 800 pounds and heavier 457,000.

March marketings in the nationwide count came to 1.98 million, up five and 12 percent, respectively.

Other disappearance amounted to 71,000 head, down 24 and 17 percent.

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

Cattle on feed: Arizona 214,000, up one percent; California 385,000, up four percent; Colorado 1,120,000, up 12 percent; Iowa 360,000, up 11 percent; Kansas 2,070,000, down one percent; Nebraska 2,180,000, up six percent; Texas 2,560,000, up one percent.

Placements: Arizona 39,000, up 56 percent; California 55,000, up 10 percent; Colorado 240,000, up 26 percent; Iowa 57,000, up 119 percent (No, this is not a typographical error; this is the figure supplied by USDA. It may well represent Cornbelt farmers' efforts to turn their crops into beef, which may not be worth much but is still worth more than corn. — Ed.); Kansas 430,000, up 19 percent; Nebraska 380,000, up 31 percent; Texas 530,000, up 10 percent.

Marketings: Arizona 27,000, up eight percent; California 50,000, up 11 percent; Colorado 240,000, up 14 percent; Iowa 56,000, up 12 percent; Kansas 370,000, up three percent; Nebraska 350,000, up three percent; Texas 565,000, up three percent.