COLORADO 

The number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Colorado feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or larger was estimated at 1,060,000 head as of April 1, 2019. The latest inventory was 12 percent above April 1, 2018 inventory and 1 percent above the previous month’s inventory.

The inventory included 580,000 steer and steer calves, 8 percent above the previous year. The number of heifer and heifer calves, at 480,000 head, are up 16 percent from a year ago.

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 185,000 head of fed cattle during March 2019. This was 9 percent above the previous month’s marketings and 16 percent above marketings one year earlier.

An estimated 200,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during March, 8 percent above the previous month’s placements and up 21 percent from March 2018 placements. Of the number placed in March, 15 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 18 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 28 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, 28 percent weighed 800-899 pounds, and 13 percent weighed 900 pounds or greater.

Other disappearance for March, at 5,000 head, was the same as last month and last year. 

UNITED STATES 

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.0 million head on April 1, 2019. The inventory was 2 percent above April 1, 2018. This is the highest April 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. 

The inventory included 7.45 million steers and steer calves, down 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 62 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.51 million head, up 8 percent from 2018. Placements in feedlots during March totaled 2.01 million head, 5 percent above 2018. Net placements were 1.95 million head. 

During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 325,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 300,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 595,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 539,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 185,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 70,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.78 million head, 3 percent below 2018.

Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during March, 3 percent above 2018.