Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on May 1, 2007. The inventory was 2 percent below May 1, 2006 but 6 percent above May 1, 2005. This is the second highest May 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.57 million, 3 percent below 2006 and 5 percent below 2005. Net placements were 1.47 million. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000, 600-699 pounds were 263,000, 700-799 pounds were 430,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 505,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.82 million, 2 percent above 2006 and 1 percent above 2005.

Other disappearance totaled 99,000 during April, 14 percent above 2006 and 9 percent above 2005.