HDR1012000130010516971500CATTLE ON FEED                                         
Cattle                                                                          
on Feed                                                                         
     National                                                                   
     Agricultural                                                               
     Statistics                                                                 
     Service                                                                    
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released May 16, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),  
Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For information 
on "Cattle on Feed" call Dean Groskurth at (202) 720-3040, office hours         
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.                                                      
                                                                                
         U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 8 Percent                                       
                                                                                
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots
with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 9.93 million head on May 1, 1997.   
The inventory was 8 percent above May 1, 1996.                                  
                                                                                
Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.54 million, 13 percent above 1996.
Net placements were 1.44 million.  During April, placements of cattle and calves
weighing less than 600 pounds were 302,000, 600-699 pounds were 314,000, 700-799
pounds were 528,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 394,000.                   
                                                                                
Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.91 million, slightly above 1996.
                                                                                
Other disappearance totaled 98,000 during April, 8 percent below the previous   
year.                                                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
         Cattle on Feed in Historic 7 States Up 9 Percent                       
                                                                                
Cattle on feed May 1, 1997, in the historic 7 States for feedlots with capacity 
of 1,000 or more head totaled 8.48 million, up 9 percent from  the previous year
and up 3 percent from May 1, 1995.                                              
                                                                                
Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.29 million, 12 percent above 1996 
but 8 percent below 1995.                                                       
                                                                                
Marketings during April totaled 1.64 million, 2 percent  above 1996 and 14      
percent above 1995.                                                             
                                                                                
Other disappearance during April was 68,000 head, 5 percent above 1996 and 11   
percent above 1995.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and          
                 Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,                 
                          United States, May 1, 1996-97                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :           Number           : 1997 as % of 
                Item                :-------------------------------------------
                                    :     1996     :    1997     :     1996     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :    ---- 1,000 Head ----        Percent    
                                    :                                           
On Feed Apr 1 1/                    :    9,812         10,391          106      
Placed on Feed During Apr           :    1,364          1,538          113      
Fed Cattle Marketed During Apr      :    1,896          1,905          100      
Other Disappearance During Apr 2/   :      107             98           92      
On Feed May 1 1/                    :    9,173          9,926          108      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a      
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass 
    that will grade select or better.                                           
2/  Includes death losses, movement from feedlots to pastures and shipments to  
    other feedlots for further feeding.                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and          
                 Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,                 
                         United States, April 1, 1996-97                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :           Number           : 1997 as % of 
                Item                :-------------------------------------------
                                    :     1996     :    1997     :     1996     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :    ---- 1,000 Head ----        Percent    
                                    :                                           
On Feed Mar 1 1/                    :    9,696         10,275          106      
Placed on Feed During Mar           :    1,948          1,966          101      
Fed Cattle Marketed During Mar      :    1,756          1,764          100      
Other Disappearance During Mar 2/   :       76             86          113      
On Feed Apr 1 1/                    :    9,812         10,391          106      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a      
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass 
    that will grade select or better.                                           
2/  Includes death losses, movement from feedlots to pastures and shipments to  
    other feedlots for further feeding.                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and          
                 Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,                 
                           7 States, May 1, 1995-97 1/                          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   :          Number          :  1997 as % of   
                Item               :--------------------------------------------
                                   :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :  1995  :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   : ------ 1,000 Head -----        Percent     
                                   :                                            
On Feed Apr 1 2/                   : 8,328    8,286    8,904     107      107   
Placed on Feed During Apr          : 1,403    1,150    1,286      92      112   
Fed Cattle Marketed During Apr     : 1,437    1,613    1,638     114      102   
Other Disappearance During Apr 3/  :    61       65       68     111      105   
On Feed May 1 2/                   : 8,233    7,758    8,484     103      109   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 7 States include AZ, CA, CO, IA, KS, NE, and TX.                        
2/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a      
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass 
    that will grade select or better.                                           
3/  Includes death losses, movement from feedlots to pastures and shipments to  
    other feedlots for further feeding.                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, Placements, Marketings, and          
                 Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,                 
                          7 States, April 1, 1995-97 1/                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   :          Number          :  1997 as % of   
                Item               :--------------------------------------------
                                   :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :  1995  :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   : ------ 1,000 Head -----        Percent     
                                   :                                            
On Feed Mar 1 2/                   : 8,227    8,152    8,769     107      108   
Placed on Feed During Mar          : 1,681    1,666    1,694     101      102   
Fed Cattle Marketed During Mar     : 1,513    1,476    1,497      99      101   
Other Disappearance During Mar 3/  :    67       56       62      93      111   
On Feed Apr 1 2/                   : 8,328    8,286    8,904     107      107   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 7 States include AZ, CA, CO, IA, KS, NE, and TX.                        
2/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a      
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass 
    that will grade select or better.                                           
3/  Includes death losses, movement from feedlots to pastures and shipments to  
    other feedlots for further feeding.                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Cattle on Feed:  Number on Feed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,           
                  by Month, State, and United States 1996-97 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :              :              :               May 1, 1997                
       :              :              :------------------------------------------
 State : May 1, 1996  : Apr 1, 1997  :              :   as % of   :   as % of   
       :              :              :    Number    :    1996     :     Apr     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :    ------------ 1,000 Head -----------           ---- Percent ----     
       :                                                                        
AZ     :      188             224           214           114            96     
CA     :      305             380           385           126           101     
CO     :    1,000           1,090         1,050           105            96     
ID     :      225             235           245           109           104     
IA     :      325             340           325           100            96     
KS     :    2,010           2,270         2,190           109            96     
NE     :    1,740           2,030         1,930           111            95     
NM     :       91             118            98           108            83     
OK     :      380             395           360            95            91     
SD     :      172             152           146            85            96     
TX     :    2,190           2,570         2,390           109            93     
WA     :      127             127           143           113           113     
       :                                                                        
Oth Sts:      420             460           450           107            98     
       :                                                                        
US     :    9,173          10,391         9,926           108            96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Cattle and calves on feed are animals for slaughter market being fed a      
    ration of grain or other concentrates and are expected to produce a carcass 
    that will grade select or better.                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Cattle on Feed:  Number Placed on Feed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,       
                   by Month, State, and United States 1996-97                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :              :              :             During Apr 1997              
       :    During    :    During    :------------------------------------------
 State :   Apr 1996   :   Mar 1997   :              :   as % of   :   as % of   
       :              :              :    Number    :    1996     :     Mar     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :    ------------ 1,000 Head -----------           ---- Percent ----     
       :                                                                        
AZ     :       27             34             31           115            91     
CA     :       55             65             60           109            92     
CO     :      130            210            155           119            74     
ID     :       40             46             57           143           124     
IA     :       33             40             35           106            88     
KS     :      345            440            350           101            80     
NE     :      230            320            295           128            92     
NM     :       21             25             13            62            52     
OK     :       55             84             53            96            63     
SD     :       20             34             22           110            65     
TX     :      330            585            360           109            62     
WA     :       18             23             42           233           183     
       :                                                                        
Oth Sts:       60             60             65           108           108     
       :                                                                        
US     :    1,364          1,966          1,538           113            78     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Cattle on Feed:  Number Placed on Feed by Weight Group, 1,000+ Capacity    
              Feedlots, by Month, State, and United States, 1996-97             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                            During April                             
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
   State  :  Less 600   :   600-699   :   700-799   :  800 Plus   :    Total    
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                             1,000 Head                              
          :                                                                     
CO        :  12     15     23     31     55     54     40     55     130    155 
KS        :  30     48    100     89    141    136     74     77     345    350 
NE        :  17     22     58     43     83    111     72    119     230    295 
TX        :  50    112    135     86    109    119     36     43     330    360 
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts   :  95    105     70     65     90    108     74    100     329    378 
          :                                                                     
US        : 204    302    386    314    478    528    296    394   1,364  1,538 
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                            During March                             
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :  Less 600   :   600-699   :   700-799   :  800 Plus   :    Total    
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                             1,000 Head                              
          :                                                                     
CO        :  10     24     40     32    110     95     80     59     240    210 
KS        :  39     48    124    134    180    182     87     76     430    440 
NE        :  24     32     87     60    147    114     92    114     350    320 
TX        :  89    106    200    222    205    215     31     42     525    585 
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts   : 100    111     93     90    130    115     80     95     403    411 
          :                                                                     
US        : 262    321    544    538    772    721    370    386   1,948  1,966 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Cattle on Feed:  Number Marketed, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,          
                   by Month, State, and United States 1996-97                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :              :              :             During Apr 1997              
       :    During    :    During    :------------------------------------------
 State :   Apr 1996   :   Mar 1997   :              :   as % of   :   as % of   
       :              :              :    Number    :    1996     :     Mar     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :    ------------ 1,000 Head -----------           ---- Percent ----     
       :                                                                        
AZ     :       41             33             39            95           118     
CA     :       45             50             50           111           100     
CO     :      155            165            180           116           109     
ID     :       39             39             33            85            85     
IA     :       62             54             49            79            91     
KS     :      400            370            410           103           111     
NE     :      370            325            380           103           117     
NM     :       31             25             32           103           128     
OK     :       73             72             86           118           119     
SD     :       23             31             21            91            68     
TX     :      540            500            530            98           106     
WA     :       32             30             25            78            83     
       :                                                                        
Oth Sts:       85             70             70            82           100     
       :                                                                        
US     :    1,896          1,764          1,905           100           108     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
         Cattle on Feed:  Other Disappearance, 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots,        
                   by Month, State, and United States 1996-97                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :              :              :             During Apr 1997              
       :    During    :    During    :------------------------------------------
 State :   Apr 1996   :   Mar 1997   :              :   as % of   :   as % of   
       :              :              :    Number    :    1996     :     Mar     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :     ----------- 1,000 Head ----------            ---- Percent ----     
       :                                                                        
AZ     :       4              1              2             50           200     
CA     :      10              5              5             50           100     
CO     :       5             15             15            300           100     
ID     :      11              7             14            127           200     
IA     :       1              1              1            100           100     
KS     :      15             10             20            133           200     
NE     :      20             15             15             75           100     
NM     :       1              1              1            100           100     
OK     :       2              2              2            100           100     
SD     :       2              3              7            350           233     
TX     :      10             15             10            100            67     
WA     :       1              1              1            100           100     
       :                                                                        
Oth Sts:      25             10              5             20            50     
       :                                                                        
US     :     107             86             98             92           114     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Includes death losses, movement from feedlots to pastures, and shipments to 
    other feedlots for further feeding.                                         
                                                                                
The next Cattle On Feed report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on June 13, 1997.  
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's   
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).                                
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C.,
20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an equal
employment opportunity employer.                                                
                                                                                
                         SUBSCRIBE TODAY!!                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data       
products, and services:                                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
                          INTERNET ACCESS                                       
                                                                                
All NASS reports are now available free of charge on the worldwide Internet.    
For access, connect to the Internet and select:                                 
                                                                                
   1.  Worldwide Web:  http://www.usda.gov/nass/       OR                       
                                                                                
   2.  For Gopher/Telenet/FTP access:                                           
       HOST=usda.mannlib.cornell.edu        OR                                  
                                                                                
   3.  For a subscription direct to your e-mail address,                        
       send an e-mail message to:  usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu        
       and in the body of the message type the word:  list                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                          AUTOFAX ACCESS                                        
                                                                                
NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine.  Please    
call 202-720-2000, using the handset attached to your fax.  Respond to the voice
prompts.                                                                        
                                                                                
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -               
                PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS                                
                                                                                
CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK:   1-800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada)               
Other areas, please call l-703-834-0125                          FAX:           
                         1-703-834-0110                                         
(Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.)               
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           ASSISTANCE                                           
                                                                                
For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about
NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at
1-800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.