03/26/07 Feedlot inventory down again

American Rancher March 26, 2007 There were 11.6 million head of cattle in U.S. feedlots at the beginning of March. That was four percent less than March 1st of last year. Greene: "The second month in a row now that the on feed number has declined." That's USDA livestock market analyst Joel Greene who says the inventory went down even though placement of new cattle into feedlots last month were up four percent from a year ago. The difference is increased sales out of feedlots. Greene: "Marketings of cattle were up seven percent in February which was actually higher than the average of industry expectations for that. Marketings have been lagging at times. I think that seven percent number will be received very positively by the analysts out there." Greene says winter weather has probably impacted cattle marketings. Greene: "With the storms that have moved through cattle country starting at the end of December moving through even in January, some in February. So those have clearly affected marketing patterns somewhat. Definitely it would have had some impact on cattle moving because they would have during the heavy storms would have lost some performance. Had to be held back a little longer and then come out. So it has been a little up and down. So this might be part of a catch up." I'm Bob Hoff.