Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in U.S. feedloots with a capacity of more than 1,000-head totaled 11.8 million head on May 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly report. 

The inventory was 2 percent above May 1, 2018. This is the highest May 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.84 million head, 9 percent above 2018. Net placements were 1.78 million head.

During April,...