Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in the United States, for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, totaled 10.8 million head on October 1, 2017.
The inventory was five-percent above October 1, 2016. The trade estimate was 104.6%. The inventory included 6.93 million steers and steer calves, up two-percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 64 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.88 million head, up 13 percent from 2016.
Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.15 million head, 13 percent above 2016. The trade estimate was 108%. Net placements were 2.09 million head.
Marketing of fed cattle during September totaled 1.78 million head, three-percent above 2016. The trade estimate was 102.6%.
The futures market closed before the report was issued. December Live Cattle finished at $116.60, up 450 points for the day.
