News Update
March 22, 2011

United States Cattle on Feed Up 5%

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on March 1, 2011. The inventory was 5% above March 1, 2010, reported the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Statistics Board in its March 18 Cattle-on-Feed Report.

Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.66 million, 1% below 2010. Net placements were 1.60 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds (lb.) were 400,000; 600-699 lb., 365,000; 700-799 lb., 489,000; and 800 lb. and greater, 410,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.79 million, 4% above 2010.

Other disappearance totaled 60,000 during February, 12% below 2010.

The full report is available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS website, www.nass.usda.gov.

View the Latest Edition of ‘The Angus Report’

“The Angus Report” posted March 18 features the ongoing conflict in Libya and its effect on U.S. Agriculture, an important election form for members; and what’s important to commercial cattlemen. Click here to view.

The American Angus Association’s online news program offers cattlemen opportunity to catch up on important industry issues while learning more about management tools and value-added marketing opportunities. The weekly web-based news program covers a variety of topics in a traditional television news format. Watch www.angus.org for reports posted each Friday.

Why Ranchers Aim for High Quality

U.S. Premium Beef (USPB) Field Operations Vice President Brian Bertelsen and Beef Cattle Specialist Paul Dykstra with the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand discussed why American cattle producers aim for high quality now more than ever in a recent news clip. Click here to watch a video news release by Certified Angus Beef LLC and the American Angus Association.

Purina Introduces 60-Day ‘See the Difference Feeding Challenge’

For more than 116 years, Purina® has seen the difference its feeds make in animals across the country. Now, Purina invites animal owners to take its 60-Day See the Difference Challenge to see the difference for themselves. Animal lovers can register and learn more about the feeding challenge online at www.PurinaDifference.com.

“Purina prides itself in providing nutritional feed options to support the needs of many animals, and we guarantee that animal owners will see a difference with our feeds or their money back*,” said Chris Goodwin, marketing manager, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed. “It’s a challenge you can’t lose. We’re so confident you will be happy we’re guaranteeing it or we’ll buy your feed back.”

Participants can register up to two species online for a 60-day trial of Purina® Feeds. Species included in the Challenge are horse, flock, rabbit, goat, cattle and show animals. Upon registration, Challenge participants will receive a welcome email and valuable feed coupons. After completing the 60-Day See the Difference Challenge, participants will be asked to submit information on the trial and nutritional performance of the feed.

As an added bonus, Challenge participants also will be enrolled in the Purina Difference™ Rewards Program and will receive future offers and feed savings of $15 to $50 off depending on the specie and product trialed. As part of the Rewards Program, customers can participate in the Purina Refer-A-Friend Program and can earn up to $25 in feed coupons.

*Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC will provide a refund on qualifying Purina products purchased for and associated with the animal(s) enrolled in The Challenge at www.PurinaDifference.com. Original proof of purchase must be dated between Feb. 15, 2011, and Dec. 31, 2011, and valid enrollment in The Challenge must have been completed at www.PurinaDifference.com by the animal owner on or by Oct. 31, 2011. Refund(s) will be based on original proof of purchase and average 60-day intake per animal enrolled in The Challenge to validate claim.

— Release by Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC.

— Compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.