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 April 1, 2018. The latest inventory was 1 percent above April 1, 2017 inventory, but no change from the previous month’s inventory.

The inventory included 535,000 steer and steer calves, 12 percent below the previous year. The number of heifer and heifer calves, at 415,000 head, are up 24 percent from a year ago. 

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 160,000 head of fed cattle during March 2018. This was 6 percent below the previous month’s marketings and also 6 percent below marketings one year earlier. 

An estimated 165,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during March, no change from the previous month’s placements, but down 20 percent from March 2017 placements. Of the number placed in March, 15 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 15 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 24 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, 30 percent weighed 800-899 pounds, and 15 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 11.7 million head on April 1, 2018. The inventory was 7 percent above April 1, 2017. This is the second highest April 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. The inventory included 7.54 million steers and steer calves, up 4 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 64 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.19 million head, up 14 percent from 2017. Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.92 million head, 9 percent below 2017. Net placements were 1.85 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 315,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 285,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 530,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 531,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 185,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.