WASHINGTON – Cattle and calves on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on Jan. 1, 2013, down 6 percent compared to the year-ago period, according to the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The inventory included 7.05 million steers and steer calves, down 3 percent from 2012. This group accounted for 63 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves were down 9 percent from 2012, accounting for 4.07 million head, NASS reported.

Placements in feedlots during December declined 1 percent to 1.66 million. Net placements were 1.59 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 495,000, 600-699 lbs. were 415,000, 700-799 lbs. were 379,000 and 800 lbs. and greater were 375,000, according to NASS.