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 950,000 head as of May 1, 2024. The latest inventory was 4 percent below last month and 3 percent below the May 1, 2023 inventory.

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 170,000 head of fed cattle during April 2024. This was 6 percent above the previous month’s marketings and 21 percent above the marketings one year earlier.

An estimated 135,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during April 2024, unchanged from the previous month’s placements and 7 percent below the April 2023 placements.

Of the number placed in April, 19 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 15 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 22 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, 26 percent weighed 800 to 899 pounds, and 19 percent weighed 900 pounds or greater.

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