Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.60 million, about four percent above 2008. Net placements were 1.53 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 355,000, 600-699 pounds were 315,000, 700-799 pounds were 405,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 525,000.
Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.87 million, seven percent below 2008. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 during April, eight percent below 2008. This is the second lowest other disappearance for the month of April since the series began in 1996.
The report showed Cattle on Feed numbers right on pre-report expectations. The smaller than expected placement number is supportive for deferreds while the smaller than expected marketings number is bearish for front end futures contracts next week.
