Kansas cattle up from May

The number of Kansas cattle on feed as of June 1 at large feedlots totaled 2.09 million head, down 1 percent from a year ago and up less than 1 percent from May 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Placements during May totaled 445,000 head, up 19 percent from May 2011 and up 48 percent from April. This is the largest May placements since May 2007 while April’s placements were tied for the lowest for that month since 1994.

Marketings during May totaled 415,000 head, down 1 percent from May 2011 but up 9 percent from April.

The percent of May placements by weight was: under 600 pounds, 20 percent; 600-699 pounds, 20 percent; 700-799 pounds, 29 percent; and 800 pounds or heavier, 31 percent.