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Cattle placements down 8%

USDA reports cattle placements onto feed and marketings during December 2014 were below December 2013 levels, reflecting the continued tight available supply of cattle.

Placements were 1.544 million head, down 8% on the year, and according to Allendale, the smallest December total in at least five years. By weight, placements of cattle weighing less than 600 pounds were 435,000 head and placements of 600 to 699 pound cattle were 375,000 head, while 700 to 799 pound placements were 339,000 head and placements of cattle weighing 800 pounds and heavier were 395,000 head.

Marketings came out at 1.655 million head, 5% less than last year.

The total number of cattle on feed on January 1 was 10.690 million head, up 1% from a year ago, with the steer and steer calf inventory up 2% at 6.94 million head and the heifer and heifer calf inventory down 2% at 3.67 million head.

Other disappearances were 72,000 head, a 6% decline.

The numbers look slightly friendly for cattle futures.