(AP) — The number of cattle going into feedlots in Nebraska, Kansas and across the nation has taken a steep dive. The latest cattle-on-feed statistics come at a time of high input costs for fattening the beef and deep losses for the nation’s cattle-feeding industry. Kansas has 2.23 million head of cattle in its large feedyards as of Nov. 1. That number is down 8% from the same month a year ago. Cattlemen during October also placed 15% fewer cattle on feed, meaning the available slaughter supply will remain tight in the coming months. The Nebraska inventory of cattle on feed as of Nov. 1 was down 4% from last year and 5% from 2006. Since Labor Day, live cattle futures have dropped $20 a hundredweight because of concerns about domestic and export demand.
