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 March 1, 2018. The latest inventory was 1 percent below last month’s inventory, but up 4 percent from the March 1, 2017 inventory. Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 170,000 head of fed cattle during February 2018. This was 8 percent below the previous month’s marketings, but 3 percent above marketings one year earlier. An estimated 165,000 head of cattle and calves were placed on feed during February, down 8 percent from the previous month and down 8 percent from February 2017 placements. Of the number placed in February, 12 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 21 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 24 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, 27 percent weighed 800-899 pounds and 15 percent weighed 900 pounds or greater. Other disappearance for February, at 5,000 head, was unchanged from 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 11.7 million head on March 1, 2018. The inventory was 9 percent above March 1, 2017. Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.82 million head, 7 percent above 2017. Net placements were 1.76 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 325,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 335,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 537,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 420,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 150,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 50,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.68 million head, 2 percent above 2017. Other disappearance totaled 57,000 head during February, 2 percent above 2017.