Colorado Cattle on Feed down 2 percent

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 1,070,000 head as of April 1, 2012. The latest inventory was 2 percent below last month’s inventory and 2 percent below April 1, 2011 inventory.

The inventory included 730,000 steers and steer calves, down 1 percent from the previous year. The number of heifers and heifer calves, at 335,000 head, are down 3 percent from a year ago. The number of cows and bulls totaled 5,000, no change from last year’s number.

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 175,000 head of fed cattle during March 2012. This was 12 percent below the previous month’s marketings and 8 percent below a year ago. An estimated 160,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during March, down 3 percent from February 2012 placements and down 26 percent from a year ago.

Of the number placed in March, 19 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 16 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 28 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 38 percent weighed 800 pounds and greater. Other disappearance for March, at 5,000 head, was down 10,000 head from last month but unchanged from last year.

1. Vilsack: Taking time to remember the fallen
2. Livestock Marketing: Beef prices remain strong, cattle pressured
3. Farm Bill progress
4. Feeder cattle review: Choice beef prices keep rolling higher
5. Ag markets diverge just before the long holiday weekend
6. Armyworms eat fescue pastures, hayfields

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5. More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
6. Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock

1. Commentary: New rules un-COOL
2. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
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5. Meat industry associations quick to attack the new MCOOL rule
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