US reports slight drop in cattle feedlot operations in March, according to USDA.

The number of cattle and calves in feedlots in the United States totaled 11.55 million head as of March 1st., slightly below the 11.58 million recorded in the same period of the previous year, according to data from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)In February, the number of animals placed in confinement totaled 1.61 million head, up 4% year-on-year. Of the total, USDA The report detailed the distribution by weight: 305,000 head below 272 kg; 280,000 between 272 and 317 kg; 445,000 between 318 and 362 kg; 396,000 between 363 and 408 kg; 130,000 between 408 and 454 kg; and 55,000 above 454 kg. Meanwhile, the number of animals sent for slaughter decreased. 7% in February, totaling 1.52 million head. According to the American government, this is the second smallest volume in the historical series, initiated in 1996.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.