Cattle Market Pulse

Colorado Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Colorado · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, March 6, 2023

7,150 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Colorado Weekly Cattle Auction Summary report →

heavy 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $193.70/cwt +11.70 vs last sale · ≈ $1,301/hd at 671 lb · 159 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 steers $224.65/cwt +2.61 vs last sale · ≈ $1,305/hd at 581 lb · 159 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $201.35/cwt +15.29 vs last sale · ≈ $1,262/hd at 627 lb · 138 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 7,150 6,481 9,493
Feeder cattle 4,829 5,160 8,028
Slaughter cattle 1,031 1,122 858
Replacement cattle 1,290 199 607

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Combined weighted average report for 4 Colorado auction markets included: Winter Livestock, La Junta Livestock, Centennial, and Livestock Exchange. Feeder steers mostly steady to 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers traded 3.00 to 6.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves traded mostly steady to 4.00 higher, with instances of up to 6.00 to 10.00 higher on calves under 450 pounds. Slaughter cows and bulls traded mostly steady to 2.00 lower. Not enough comparable sales on dairy cattle from the previous week for a market trend. No trend available on replacement cattle but demand was good for bred heifers, replacement stock cows and cow-calf pairs. Trading activity was moderate to active on moderate to good buyer demand.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
300–333 324 17 293.00–302.50 $296.06 $959 +6.94
354–358 356 14 259.00–294.00 $276.80 $985 +2.74
404–445 425 63 255.00–279.00 $270.34 $1,149 +29.08
450–498 485 45 241.00–258.00 $254.40 $1,234 +11.95
502–503 value added 502 21 243.00–254.00 $250.33 $1,257 +9.95
516–548 538 81 231.00–239.00 $234.43 $1,261 +4.35
561 value added 561 38 233.00–237.50 $236.32 $1,326 —
563–597 587 121 216.00–224.00 $220.99 $1,297 -0.79
618 fancy 618 17 221.00 $221.00 $1,366 +17.00
603–638 627 94 210.00–216.00 $214.35 $1,344 +8.90
651–695 675 64 189.00–207.50 $196.61 $1,327 -2.87
675 value added 675 16 216.00 $216.00 $1,458 +2.16
712–745 738 59 184.00–188.50 $187.95 $1,387 -1.83
754–784 769 56 177.00–186.00 $183.99 $1,415 -0.94
827 827 3 178.00 $178.00 $1,472 -4.51
914 914 7 177.50 $177.50 $1,622 +9.17
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
600–603 602 12 185.00–187.00 $185.66 $1,118 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
545 545 5 214.50 $214.50 $1,169 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
369–391 379 26 224.00–245.00 $233.46 $885 +11.46
406–446 426 24 214.00–230.00 $219.55 $935 +4.63
450–495 468 20 213.00–225.00 $217.95 $1,020 +2.64
500–546 511 127 196.00–220.50 $213.19 $1,089 +2.61
550–596 579 67 186.00–203.00 $198.07 $1,147 +6.02
561–593 value added 586 36 207.00–208.00 $207.21 $1,214 -17.08
589 unweaned 589 5 175.00 $175.00 $1,031 —
606–639 621 105 199.00–206.00 $203.49 $1,264 +14.49
641–648 646 33 190.00–196.00 $194.56 $1,257 +10.98
664–683 670 84 196.00–205.00 $199.06 $1,334 +17.77
651–687 673 75 178.00–190.00 $187.69 $1,263 +6.40
720 720 45 189.00 $189.00 $1,361 +13.56
712–741 728 74 176.00–186.00 $178.76 $1,301 +3.32
750–783 756 82 175.50–180.00 $179.09 $1,354 +4.52
758 758 15 184.00 $184.00 $1,395 +9.43
824–840 836 39 169.00–171.00 $170.55 $1,426 +4.64
850–885 875 22 159.00–170.00 $161.91 $1,417 —
1030–1045 1038 2 142.00–143.00 $142.50 $1,479 +3.50
1085 1085 1 135.00 $135.00 $1,465 ±0.00
1125–1130 1127 3 135.00–137.50 $135.83 $1,531 +6.83
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
491–493 492 15 189.00–191.00 $190.34 $936 -10.32
508–546 529 54 184.00–188.00 $185.05 $979 -5.05
635 635 3 172.00 $172.00 $1,092 -5.29
860–890 863 11 140.00–148.00 $147.25 $1,271 +17.53
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
685 685 7 171.00 $171.00 $1,171 —

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1034–1342 1120 80-85% 27 83.00–89.00 $85.08 $953 —
1195 1195 80-85% 1 108.00 $108.00 $1,291 —
1120–1480 1320 80-85% 7 97.00–106.00 $100.19 $1,323 —
1186–1615 1375 80-85% 91 84.00–97.50 $93.74 $1,289 +11.96
950–1669 1388 80-85% 124 66.00–89.00 $80.41 $1,116 -1.37
1317–1590 1399 80-85% 13 50.00–65.00 $55.85 $781 —
1100–1681 1428 80-85% 138 83.00–97.00 $86.27 $1,232 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
934–1068 1004 85-90% 40 76.00–81.00 $79.06 $794 —
720–1325 1046 85-90% 22 42.50–72.00 $63.64 $666 +7.63
875–1205 1075 85-90% 11 61.00–69.00 $65.78 $707 -25.66
1025–1225 1127 85-90% 5 96.00–109.00 $102.56 $1,156 +5.06
805–1415 1147 85-90% 98 65.00–81.00 $75.09 $861 -22.41
981–1300 1162 85-90% 87 80.00–91.00 $82.93 $964 -1.69
1053–1305 1168 85-90% 47 81.00–94.00 $88.97 $1,039 +4.35
1190 1190 85-90% 1 95.00 $95.00 $1,130 +10.38
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1310–1975 1581 75-80% 78 87.00–97.00 $93.08 $1,472 —
1310–1975 1710 75-80% 56 76.00–89.00 $83.11 $1,421 -2.08

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
930–2100 1611 7 85.00–101.50 $97.32 $1,568 —
1200–2170 1624 19 81.00–101.00 $95.86 $1,557 —
1465–2315 1873 36 101.50–113.50 $105.91 $1,984 —
2065 2065 1 114.00 $114.00 $2,354 ±0.00

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
980–1275 1108 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 11 102.00–119.00 $108.94 $1,207
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
915–1165 1070 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 7 120.00–139.00 $131.75 $1,410

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1032–1117 1067 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 20 1,225.00–1,325.00 $1,261.65
933–1381 1149 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 41 1,810.00–1,925.00 $1,886.84
1098–1323 1201 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 26 1,450.00–1,575.00 $1,520.44
1124–1405 fancy 1244 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 49 2,010.00–2,110.00 $2,054.42
1257 1257 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 1,875.00 $1,875.00
1290 1290 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 4 1,700.00 $1,700.00
1175–1497 1339 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 72 1,275.00–1,800.00 $1,371.96
1010–1530 1387 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 178 1,650.00–2,150.00 $1,891.65
1264–1563 1388 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 116 1,210.00–1,450.00 $1,357.54
1422 fancy 1422 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 13 1,985.00 $1,985.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
902–1320 1017 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 15 1,710.00–1,775.00 $1,741.88
1067–1244 1168 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 7 1,650.00–1,725.00 $1,679.36
1238–1410 1274 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 67 1,110.00–1,275.00 $1,181.56
1117–1456 1325 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 13 1,500.00–1,675.00 $1,633.50
1302–1466 1336 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 24 1,525.00–1,550.00 $1,530.71
1184–1695 1347 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 119 1,450.00–1,700.00 $1,641.64

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
896–1183 1009 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 17 1,725.00–1,825.00 $1,793.57
1260 1260 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 1,800.00 $1,800.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
831–1012 891 (<2 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 9 1,450.00–1,675.00 $1,535.15

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
835–1090 963 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 2 1,950.00–2,100.00 $2,015.06 —
1000–1210 1126 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 5 1,425.00–1,475.00 $1,442.76 —
1150 fancy 1150 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 4 2,600.00 $2,600.00 —
975–1885 1211 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 8 1,810.00–2,000.00 $1,892.19 —
1200–1225 1217 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 6 1,760.00–1,885.00 $1,843.90 —
1275 1275 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 7 1,525.00 $1,525.00 —

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Dairy Heifers

Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
273 273 2 195.00 $195.00 $532 —
339 339 5 194.00 $194.00 $658 —
371–387 377 32 199.00–206.00 $201.47 $760 —
401–428 413 26 190.00–197.50 $194.81 $805 —
463–493 488 34 185.00–197.50 $187.04 $913 —
564 564 8 162.50 $162.50 $916 —
793–795 793 16 127.50–130.00 $129.84 $1,030 —
830 830 1 131.00 $131.00 $1,087 —
880 880 11 130.00 $130.00 $1,144 +3.87
920–932 931 10 130.00–133.00 $132.70 $1,235 +4.25
950–985 971 12 128.00–133.00 $131.83 $1,280 +5.45
1005–1037 1033 8 127.50–129.00 $127.68 $1,319 -2.69
1059–1099 1077 37 125.00–135.00 $130.91 $1,410 +0.46
1100–1132 1119 26 129.50–132.50 $130.05 $1,455 -0.45
1150–1156 1155 10 128.50–130.00 $128.65 $1,486 -3.41
1202–1205 1203 4 111.00–128.50 $115.38 $1,388 —
1341 1341 8 121.00 $121.00 $1,623 —
1355 1355 1 120.00 $120.00 $1,626 —
Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
215 215 1 230.00 $230.00 $494 —
265–271 269 21 210.00–245.00 $221.49 $596 —
301–344 330 12 220.00 $220.00 $726 —
354–384 360 56 222.50–240.00 $236.28 $851 —
417–423 419 16 225.00–237.50 $234.34 $982 —
470 470 7 220.00 $220.00 $1,034 —
567–595 580 18 172.50–187.50 $185.91 $1,078 —
660–680 674 7 162.50–165.00 $163.20 $1,100 —
892 892 10 133.00 $133.00 $1,186 —
Large 3-4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
257 257 5 157.50 $157.50 $405 —
326–337 330 14 90.00–115.00 $99.12 $327 —
401–434 418 10 100.00–115.00 $107.20 $448 —
460 460 3 97.50 $97.50 $448 —
507 507 5 137.50 $137.50 $697 —
607–613 610 6 57.50–97.50 $77.40 $472 —
687–691 689 13 97.50–105.00 $100.39 $692 —
1280 1280 1 100.00 $100.00 $1,280 —
Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
305 305 2 147.50 $147.50 $450 —
435 435 10 165.00 $165.00 $718 —
454 454 7 172.50 $172.50 $783 —
555 555 2 132.50 $132.50 $735 —
660–696 678 8 127.50–129.00 $128.23 $869 —
Small 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
668 668 7 57.50 $57.50 $384 +19.50
767 767 3 61.00 $61.00 $468 —
824 824 7 69.50 $69.50 $573 —
Large 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
337 337 3 85.00 $85.00 $286 —
397 397 2 107.50 $107.50 $427 +28.50
493 493 2 82.50 $82.50 $407 —

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Dairy Steers

Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
230 230 3 225.00 $225.00 $518 —
254–287 277 52 202.00–209.00 $207.15 $574 —
300–349 328 164 191.00–220.00 $199.69 $655 —
364–398 390 97 190.00–215.00 $190.68 $744 —
427–442 438 21 195.00–215.00 $212.88 $932 —
459–463 461 33 187.50–219.00 $215.19 $992 —
517–536 529 50 172.50–177.50 $176.40 $933 —
554–580 559 5 170.00–185.00 $173.11 $968 —
710–713 712 4 140.00–147.50 $145.63 $1,037 —
768 768 3 130.00 $130.00 $998 —
1086–1095 1089 6 115.00–138.00 $122.71 $1,336 —
Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
250 250 28 192.50 $192.50 $481 —
305–333 314 30 157.50–185.00 $171.19 $538 —
353–385 372 50 160.00–187.50 $171.39 $638 —
411–445 428 153 160.00–187.00 $177.55 $760 —
450–470 462 64 170.00–185.00 $179.85 $831 —
500–504 501 32 163.00–167.00 $165.99 $832 —
557–578 565 51 155.00–167.50 $162.55 $918 —
607 607 13 147.50 $147.50 $895 —
705–706 706 14 130.00–138.00 $133.43 $942 —
815 815 1 112.50 $112.50 $917 —
Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
271–287 276 15 242.50 $242.50 $669 —
302–345 336 61 242.50–275.00 $268.62 $903 —
352–399 368 124 230.00–280.00 $262.65 $967 —
406–448 430 80 220.00–256.00 $244.69 $1,052 —
477 477 5 240.00 $240.00 $1,145 —
531 531 9 205.00 $205.00 $1,089 —
586 586 19 185.00 $185.00 $1,084 —
625–639 638 19 185.00–190.00 $189.74 $1,211 —
668 668 9 195.00 $195.00 $1,303 —
815–840 828 6 143.00–146.00 $144.48 $1,196 —
853 853 11 148.00 $148.00 $1,262 —
1115 1115 1 137.00 $137.00 $1,528 —
Large 3-4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
332 332 9 137.50 $137.50 $456 —
378 378 7 128.00 $128.00 $484 —
406–415 410 18 137.50–140.00 $138.62 $568 —
508–545 523 56 132.50–140.00 $138.28 $723 —
560–587 584 17 140.00–141.00 $140.89 $823 —
606 606 30 125.00 $125.00 $758 —
695 695 1 100.00 $100.00 $695 —
700 700 2 102.50–110.00 $106.25 $744 —
792 792 3 110.00 $110.00 $871 —
Large 4 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
515–540 526 7 107.50–115.00 $110.80 $583 —

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Reading this report

What does "Medium and Large 1" mean?

USDA feeder grades describe frame size and muscle thickness, not quality of the individual animal. "Medium and Large" is the frame score; the number is muscle (1 = heaviest muscled). "Medium and Large 1–2" pens mix both muscle scores — common across the Southeast.

What is $/cwt?

Dollars per hundredweight — per 100 lb of animal. A 500-lb calf at $450/cwt brings 5 × $450 = $2,250. Lighter cattle usually bring more per cwt but less per head.

Why are some prices per head?

Bred cows, cow-calf pairs, and some replacement classes sell by the head, not by weight. We show those exactly as USDA reports them — a $/head figure is never converted into $/cwt on this site.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Livestock Market News — federal reporters at the sale. We publish each report in full and link the official USDA document at the top of the page.