Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on January 1, 2012. The inventory was 3 percent above January 1, 2011.

The cash cattle trade remained slow on Friday with just a few late sales reported at lower prices.

Winter feeding and the headache of procuring hay is here. And if you’re looking for hay in the drought-stricken Southwest, it’s probably more like a migraine. With the hardships faced by many states in the western half of the country and the increased demand for hay during the winter months, resources are stretched thin and costs are up accordingly.

Thus far for Friday, negotiated cash trade is inactive on light demand in the Southern Plains and Colorado. Not enough sales for an adequate market test.

Compared to last week, feeder cattle prices were firm to 5.00 higher (mostly 2.00-5.00 higher) with the full advance on the 650-850 lb short-yearling types.