The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reports the amount of American cattle in feedlots of a thousand or more to start October totaled 10.3 million head.
That's up by a full per cent from last year.
The service notes steers made up 6.83 million of the inventory, which is down 2 per cent from 2015.
Heifers and heifer calves accounted for the other 3 and a half million. That's an increase of 4 per cent which will likely lead to bigger volumes through 2017.
Feedlot placements for the month of September were reported to be down by 2 per cent on the year.
Marketings of fed cattle that month totaled 1.73 million head, 5 per cent above 2015.
