Cattle in feedlots down 5 percent from year ago

The number of cattle in large Kansas feedlots was 2.11 million as of Feb. 1 , down 5 percent from a year ago and the lowest February inventory since 1999.

The number of cattle in feedlots as of Feb. 1 was unchanged from Jan. 1.

Placements in January totaled 430,000 head, up 5 percent from a year ago and up 18 percent from December.

Marketings in January totaled 415,000 head, unchanged from January but down 2 percent from December.

The percent of January placements by weight was: under 600 pounds, 16 percent; 600-699 pounds, 22 percent; 700-799 pounds, 35 percent; and 800 pounds or heavier, 27 percent.