The total number of cattle in U.S. feedlots on July 1st was slightly below a year ago at 11.438 million head, but still the second largest total for the month on record. Steers and steer calves accounted for 61% of the total at 7.033 million head, a modest year to year increase, and heifers and heifer calves made up the remaining 39% at 4.405 million, 1% less than last year.
Placements into feedlots were up 2% at 1.798 million head on expectations for better consumer and export demand, along with declining pasture conditions.
