Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. totaled 11.8 million head on Nov. 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) monthly cattle on feed report published last week.

This inventory was 1% above Nov. 1, 2018 levels.
Placements in feedlots during October totaled 2.48 million head, 10% above 2018. Net placements were 2.42 million head. Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 1.88 million head, 1% below 2018. Other...