WASHINGTON – Cattle and calves on feed on April 1 totaled 10.9 million head, a 1 percent increase over a year ago, the US Dept. of Agriculture said in its Cattle on Feed report.

The inventory of heifers and heifer calves totaled 3.49 million head, an increase of 5 percent, while steers and steer calves declined 1 percent to 7.36 million head. Steers and steer calves accounted for 68 percent of the total inventory, according to USDA.

Placements in feedlots advanced 5 percent in March to 1.89 million head. Net placements were 1.83 million head. For the month, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 352,000 head; 600-699 lbs. were 275,000 head; 700-799 lbs. were 495,000 head and 800 lbs. and greater were 770,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle climbed 7 percent to 1.75 million head in March, while other disappearance totaled 62,000 head which represents a 10 percent decline from a year ago, USDA reported.