The USDA says the marketings of fed cattle in the States last month were the lowest since at least 1996.
The department puts March marketings at 1 point 63 million head - 2 per cent below March of 2014.
Placements in U-S feedlots in March totalled 1 point 81 million head.
That was slightly above the 2014 placements for the month.
The USDA's total inventory of cattle and calves on feed for slaughter was 10 point 8 million head on April 1st - slightly higher than it was a year ago.