(NAFB.com) – The USDA says the total number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.8 million head on March 1. The inventory was one percent above March 1, 2023. Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.89 million head, ten percent above 2023. Placements were the highest for February since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.83 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds totaled 360,000 head, and between 600-699 pounds, placements reached 330,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 515,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 485,000 head, 900-999 pounds totaled 150,000 head, and 1,000 pounds or greater totaled 50,000 head. February fed cattle marketings reached 1.79 million head, which was three percent above February 2023. Other disappearances totaled 56,000 head during February, down three percent from February 2023.