Feeder Cattle Populations Drop Three Percent

The nation’s largest feedlots were a bit smaller at the start of May.  USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report indicated that feedlot populations at the start of the month totaled 11,608,000 head, down three percent from a year ago, as well as a net drop of 4,000 head during the month of April.  Placements during the month were down four percent, just shy of 1.75 million head.  Marketings dropped ten percent to just over 1.7 million, while an additional 51,000 head were marked under other disappearance.