The article reports on the USDA NASS's Cattle and Calves on Feed for slaughter report for May 1, 2024, which was released on Friday, May 24. The total inventory was 1% lower than the previous year, at 11.6 million head. Placements in feedlots were 6% lower than in 2023, at 1.66 million head, with marketings being 10% higher, at 1.87 million head. The report was viewed as bullish for the cattle market due to lower on-feed numbers and fewer placements compared to the previous year, but increased marketings and more placements in certain weight divisions and states compared to the previous month.