WASHINGTON — The number of US cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market climbed 3% above last year’s totals, according to the Cattle on Feed report from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). As of Dec. 1, inventory totaled 12 million head of cattle.

The report also highlighted that placement in feedlots during November totaled 1.87 million head, 2% down from 2022. Net placements were 1.81 million head.

During November, placements of cattle weighing less than 600 lbs were 535,000 head, 600-699 lbs were 440,000 head, 700-799 lbs were 380,000 head, 800-899 lbs were 288,000 head, 900-999 lbs were 140,000 head, and 1,000 lbs and greater were 85,000 head.

NASS reported marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.75 million head, a 7% drop from 2022.

Other disappearance totaled 54,000 head during November, 5% below 2022.

NASS’s Cattle on Feed survey provides estimates of the number of cattle being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplements for the slaughter market. The survey is conducted in the 16 largest cattle-feeding states. Around 2,000 known cattle feeders with a capacity of 1,000 or more head are enumerated.