(NAFB.com) – USDA data shows the number of cattle on feed at the start of this month rose one percent year-over-year. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more rose to 11.8 million head in the week through April 1. An agency report says inventories included 7.27 million steers and calves, a two percent increase, and 4.56 million heifers and heifer calves, a one percent increase from the same point last year. March placements, meanwhile, plunged 12 percent to 1.75 million head. Net placements totaled 1.69 million head. 330,000 head of cattle weighing less than 600 pounds were placed in feedlots. Cattle between 600 and 699 pounds totaled 260,000 head. Around 460,000 head weighing between 700 and 799 pounds were placed, as were 466,000 head weighing 800 to 899 pounds. Marketings of fed cattle also dropped in March, falling 14 percent to 1.71 million head.