Colorado Cattle on Feed down 3 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 970,000 head as of July 1, 2012. The latest inventory was down 5 percent from June 1, 2012, and down 3 percent from the 1,000,000 on feed on July 1, 2011.

The inventory included 645,000 steers and steer calves, down 7 percent from the previous year. The number of heifers and heifer calves, at 320,000 head, was up 5 percent from the previous year. The number of cows and bulls totaled 5,000, and remained unchanged from last year.

Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 170,000 head of fed cattle during June 2012. This was unchanged from May 2012 marketings but down 3 percent from a year ago. An estimated 125,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during June, 31 percent below May 2012 placements but 19 percent above last year’s placements for the same time period.

Of the number placed in June, 20 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 16 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 32 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 32 percent weighed 800 pounds or greater. Other disappearance during June 2012, at 5,000 head, was 15,000 head lower than last month and 5,000 head below last year.

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