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 940,000 head as of May 1, 2018. The latest inventory is 1 percent below last month’s inventory and 2 percent below the May 1, 2017 inventory. 

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 150,000 head of fed cattle during April 2018. This was 6 percent below the previous month’s marketings, but 20 percent above the marketings one year earlier. 

An estimated 145,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during April 2018, 12 percent below the previous month’s placements and 6 percent below the April 2017 placements. Of the number placed in April, 17 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 14 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 24 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, 28 percent weighed 800 to 899 pounds, and 17 percent weighed 900 pounds or greater. 

Other disappearance for April, at 5,000 head, was the same as last month, but 5,000 head below 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 11.6 million head on May 1, 2018. The inventory was 5 percent above May 1, 2017. This is the second highest May 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. 

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.70 million head, 8 percent below 2017. Net placements were 1.63 million head. 

During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 320,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 230,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 415,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 445,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 205,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.80 million head, 6 percent above 2017. 

Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during April, 5 percent below 2017.