WASHINGTON – Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter for feedlots with 1,000 or more head totaled 10.9 million head on March 1, a decline of 7 percent compared to March 1, 2012, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Placements in feedlots during February dropped 14 percent to 1.48 million, the lowest for February since the series began in 1996, NASS said. Net placements were 1.42 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. totaled 355,000, 600-699 lbs. were 270,000, 700-799 lbs. were 407,000, and 800 lbs. and greater totaled 450,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during February fell 7 percent to 1.64 million, according to NASS. Other disappearance totaled 60,000 during February, 35 percent below 2012.