USDA released the monthly Cattle on Feed report today. Once again, placements surprised to the upside compared to pre-report analysts’ consensus expectations. The total cattle on feed inventory was 11.986 million head, which was slightly above last year’s 11.956 million head. Total feedlot inventory was the third highest for 1 November since 2000.  11222024dj.png 23.19 KBToday’s placement number indicates more market ready cattle this coming spring. Overall, the numbers look neutral near-term but could be bearish long-term because of higher placements. The outlook, however, also depends on beef demand holding up.October marketings as a percent of inventory were 15.4 percent, compared to 14.6 percent in September and 14.7 percent in Oct...