Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.5 million head on Jan. 1, 2011. The inventory was 5% above Jan. 1, 2010, and included 7.18 million steers and steer calves, up 4% from the previous year. This group accounted for 62% of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.26 million head, up 5% from 2010.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.80 million, 16% above 2009. Net placements were 1.73 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 lbs. were 480,000 head; 600-699 lbs. were 495,000 head; 700-799 lbs. were 440,000; and 800 lbs. and greater were 380,000.

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