USDA Cattle of Feed Report

CATTLE ON FEED – COLORADO

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 860,000 head as of October 1, 2016. The latest inventory was 8 percent above last month and 4 percent above the October 1, 2015 inventory. The inventory included 570,000 steer and steer calves, no change from the previous year. The number of heifer and heifer calves, at 290,000 head, are up 12 percent from a year ago. Cattle feeders with 1,000 head or larger capacity marketed an estimated 170,000 head of fed cattle during September 2016. This was 3 percent below last month’s marketings but up 10 percent from the marketings one year earlier. An estimated 235,000 cattle and calves were placed on feed during September, 38 percent above the previous month’s placements and 12 percent above September 2015 placements. Of the number placed in September, 11 percent weighed less than 600 pounds, 9 percent weighed from 600 to 699 pounds, 23 percent weighed from 700 to 799 pounds, and 57 percent weighed 800 pounds and greater. Other disappearance for September, 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 10.3 million head on October 1, 2016. The inventory was slightly above October 1, 2015. The inventory included 6.83 million steers and steer calves, down 2 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 67 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.44 million head, up 4 percent from 2015. Placements in feedlots during September totaled 1.91 million head, 2 percent below 2015. Placements were the lowest for September since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.86 million head. During September, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 345,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 300,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 455,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 805,000 head. Marketings of fed cattle during September totaled 1.73 million head, 5 percent above 2015. Other disappearance totaled 42,000 head during September, 26 percent below 2015. 

For a full copy of the October 2016 Cattle on Feed report please visit www.nass.usda.gov.