Cattle Market Pulse

Colorado Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Colorado · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, February 19, 2024

7,187 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 7-weight M&L 1 steers $255.21/cwt +1.50 vs last sale · ≈ $1,831/hd at 717 lb · 465 head
heavy 6-weight M&L 1 steers $269.62/cwt -4.93 vs last sale · ≈ $1,813/hd at 672 lb · 286 head
heavy 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $286.40/cwt +11.53 vs last sale · ≈ $1,647/hd at 575 lb · 266 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 7,187 7,733 4,169
Feeder cattle 5,838 6,637 2,808
Slaughter cattle 722 760 673
Replacement cattle 627 336 688

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Combined weighted average report for 3 Colorado auction markets included: Winter Livestock, La Junta Livestock, and Livestock Exchange. Trade activity and demand were light to good. Feeder steers under 350 lbs sold uneven on a light test and over 350 lbs were steady to 5.00 lower with some instances of 10.00 to 11.00 lower. Feeder heifers under 400 lbs sold 2.00 to 4.00 higher on a light test and over 400 lbs were mostly 2.00 to 3.00 higher. Feeder dairy heifers over 900 lbs sold 2.00 to 6.00 higher. Average dressing slaughter cows sold 2.00 to 5.00 higher; average dressing slaughter bulls were 7.00 higher. The next available report will be Monday, March 4, 2024.

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
230 230 2 425.00 $425.00 $978 —
257–290 277 11 385.00–395.00 $389.69 $1,079 -11.31
286–290 fancy 288 6 407.00–415.00 $411.03 $1,184 —
302–332 fancy 323 13 409.00–416.00 $411.64 $1,330 —
320–342 329 7 387.00–400.00 $394.22 $1,297 +10.37
350–362 fancy 361 28 400.00–419.00 $415.50 $1,500 —
360–385 value added 369 13 393.00–397.00 $394.09 $1,454 +11.09
350–395 379 50 380.00–392.50 $387.79 $1,470 -0.17
403–440 429 39 361.00–369.00 $363.35 $1,559 -4.05
400–445 value added 430 68 374.00–377.50 $377.13 $1,622 —
474 fancy 474 12 360.00 $360.00 $1,706 —
468–484 value added 476 69 341.00–351.00 $346.88 $1,651 +1.29
458–487 thin fleshed 477 60 356.00–360.00 $357.92 $1,707 -0.66
463–498 487 59 322.00–352.00 $341.19 $1,662 +15.88
500 fancy 500 19 342.00 $342.00 $1,710 —
509–530 value added 522 38 318.00–321.00 $319.06 $1,665 -19.82
522–549 540 51 310.00–321.00 $315.00 $1,701 +2.72
557 fancy 557 90 331.00 $331.00 $1,844 +5.00
553–598 578 143 285.50–311.00 $301.71 $1,744 -4.90
602 fancy 602 20 303.00 $303.00 $1,824 —
601–636 622 135 281.00–294.00 $287.77 $1,790 -2.55
653–683 value added 670 154 274.00–275.00 $274.54 $1,839 -2.65
656–693 675 132 256.00–268.00 $263.88 $1,781 -10.06
700–709 value added 708 14 260.00–261.00 $260.14 $1,842 —
704–711 thin fleshed 708 83 265.00–266.00 $265.64 $1,881 —
703–742 720 368 241.00–258.00 $252.67 $1,819 -1.04
752–795 771 139 236.50–246.50 $240.93 $1,858 -2.35
773 value added 773 36 248.50 $248.50 $1,921 —
802 value added 802 65 246.50 $246.50 $1,977 —
801–816 808 161 235.00–242.75 $238.81 $1,930 —
858 value added 858 65 234.00 $234.00 $2,008 —
860–869 867 82 225.00–231.50 $229.08 $1,986 +6.08
1006–1042 1011 42 181.00–205.00 $201.47 $2,037 —
1326 1326 4 162.00 $162.00 $2,148 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
393 393 4 366.00 $366.00 $1,438 +18.24
414–446 429 20 346.00–354.00 $350.46 $1,503 +22.91
490–498 494 9 317.00–320.00 $318.68 $1,574 -13.16
512–547 524 95 290.00–309.00 $303.13 $1,588 +2.97
565–585 569 14 272.50–286.00 $281.67 $1,603 -13.29
619–648 636 97 264.00–273.00 $268.67 $1,709 -7.72
658–699 675 42 247.00–257.50 $253.42 $1,711 +3.54
705–745 737 26 239.00–242.00 $240.77 $1,774 +3.94
802–849 833 153 231.00–239.00 $235.25 $1,960 +14.25
924 924 5 187.50 $187.50 $1,732 +1.66
1044 1044 17 182.50 $182.50 $1,905 +13.50
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
405–420 414 7 324.00–332.00 $327.36 $1,355 —
784 784 112 221.00 $221.00 $1,733 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
413 413 2 350.00 $350.00 $1,446 —
422 thin fleshed 422 3 362.50 $362.50 $1,530 —
505–517 513 12 296.00–301.00 $299.36 $1,536 +3.86
562 562 3 286.00 $286.00 $1,607 +10.15
615 615 3 266.00 $266.00 $1,636 +17.00
740 740 2 236.50 $236.50 $1,750 -8.50
765 765 35 243.50 $243.50 $1,863 +13.50
767 thin fleshed 767 5 231.00 $231.00 $1,772 —
1088 1088 4 179.00 $179.00 $1,948 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
394 394 4 348.00 $348.00 $1,371 +15.50
510–544 528 24 251.00–281.00 $270.39 $1,428 -6.22
628–640 630 20 254.00–262.50 $258.58 $1,629 -2.46
668 668 3 234.00 $234.00 $1,563 +2.51
762 762 3 202.50 $202.50 $1,543 —
1238 1238 2 137.00 $137.00 $1,696 —

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
260–280 fancy 269 7 400.00–405.00 $402.23 $1,082 +14.73
283–295 288 6 371.00–379.00 $374.23 $1,078 -0.77
295 thin fleshed 295 2 392.50 $392.50 $1,158 —
298 value added 298 3 387.50 $387.50 $1,155 —
300–305 fancy 303 6 380.00–397.50 $388.68 $1,178 +7.08
312–313 value added 313 9 372.50–380.00 $374.99 $1,174 —
323–345 335 17 342.00–351.00 $345.71 $1,158 +4.29
355 fancy 355 2 351.00 $351.00 $1,246 -10.47
358–390 381 16 312.00–340.00 $326.49 $1,244 +2.34
363–399 thin fleshed 381 20 345.00–352.50 $349.20 $1,330 —
390 value added 390 10 329.00 $329.00 $1,283 -21.31
400–407 thin fleshed 403 15 341.00–347.50 $343.50 $1,384 —
415–442 431 57 328.00–337.50 $333.70 $1,438 +11.01
455–493 fancy 468 6 319.00–340.00 $332.62 $1,557 +12.62
453–489 474 228 288.00–323.00 $298.68 $1,416 -7.19
516 fancy 516 27 321.00 $321.00 $1,656 —
504–544 521 146 275.00–308.00 $291.36 $1,518 +1.84
567–573 fancy 568 94 287.00–306.00 $303.35 $1,723 —
559–594 579 172 266.00–282.00 $277.14 $1,605 +1.41
608–640 623 97 240.00–277.00 $267.69 $1,668 +20.67
652 value added 652 3 247.00 $247.00 $1,610 —
651–679 668 105 230.00–244.00 $233.10 $1,557 -10.68
716–746 723 70 216.00–243.00 $231.06 $1,671 +2.98
760–778 768 79 224.00–227.00 $226.06 $1,736 +1.25
1000 1000 1 167.50 $167.50 $1,675 —
1228 1228 2 163.00 $163.00 $2,002 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
353 353 2 325.00 $325.00 $1,147 —
421–424 423 13 296.00–300.00 $297.84 $1,260 —
440 fancy 440 6 337.50 $337.50 $1,485 -6.50
492 value added 492 9 290.00 $290.00 $1,427 —
539 thin fleshed 539 8 278.00 $278.00 $1,498 —
540 540 5 265.00 $265.00 $1,431 -18.64
554–580 560 9 211.00–249.00 $239.92 $1,344 +4.92
603 value added 603 13 257.00 $257.00 $1,550 —
628 628 126 225.50 $225.50 $1,416 -7.00
654 fancy 654 9 244.00 $244.00 $1,596 ±0.00
662–678 667 21 226.00–228.50 $227.77 $1,519 +8.77
672 value added 672 150 240.50 $240.50 $1,616 —
711–730 712 106 218.00–219.00 $218.03 $1,552 —
817 value added 817 26 210.00 $210.00 $1,716 —
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
344 344 4 334.00 $334.00 $1,149 —
408–448 thin fleshed 411 26 299.00–303.00 $302.66 $1,244 —
423–448 439 35 275.00–322.00 $306.93 $1,347 +2.93
450–493 483 26 273.00–297.50 $286.96 $1,386 +2.82
502–541 528 39 257.00–285.00 $272.02 $1,436 -6.38
557–598 571 34 246.00–255.00 $250.83 $1,432 -24.00
615–643 629 39 231.00–246.00 $241.06 $1,516 +5.47
670–698 678 63 220.00–226.00 $224.45 $1,522 +0.97
716–726 720 18 203.00–221.00 $210.88 $1,518 -15.72
763 763 2 216.00 $216.00 $1,648 -8.00
1125 1125 1 166.00 $166.00 $1,868 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
425–435 430 4 300.00–305.00 $302.53 $1,301 +15.11
501–543 525 12 241.00–251.00 $247.28 $1,298 -9.09
578 578 2 231.00 $231.00 $1,335 -25.02
649 649 9 209.00–221.00 $214.33 $1,391 —
674 674 4 191.00 $191.00 $1,287 -19.00
Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
558 558 6 236.00 $236.00 $1,317 —
653 653 4 216.00 $216.00 $1,410 -4.00

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
411–425 418 14 318.00–319.00 $318.51 $1,331 +22.51
554 554 16 285.00 $285.00 $1,579 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
418 418 9 325.00 $325.00 $1,358 —
538 538 4 272.00 $272.00 $1,463 —

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Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
820–1265 1095 85-90% 123 100.00–116.00 $105.70 $1,157 +8.81
975–1295 1108 85-90% 4 100.00–105.00 $102.73 $1,138 -2.74
895–1395 1182 85-90% 57 93.00–111.00 $100.64 $1,190 +42.27
820–1610 1223 85-90% 41 61.00–92.00 $83.68 $1,023 -11.16
768–1690 1226 85-90% 119 83.00–105.00 $96.52 $1,183 +1.68
1085–1650 1417 85-90% 9 50.00–72.50 $63.84 $905 —
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
900–1495 1349 80-85% 35 102.00–152.50 $111.77 $1,508 —
1035–1570 1349 80-85% 28 106.00–118.50 $114.09 $1,539 —
1170–1755 1404 80-85% 14 92.00–117.00 $112.13 $1,574 —
1095–1858 1498 80-85% 86 100.50–111.50 $107.38 $1,609 +16.46
1522 1522 80-85% 3 98.50 $98.50 $1,499 -4.15
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1512–1710 1601 75-80% 21 110.00–115.50 $112.08 $1,794 +4.75
1520–1775 1618 75-80% 11 101.00–121.50 $111.88 $1,810 +4.33
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1710–1880 1799 65-75% 4 103.00–121.00 $110.08 $1,980 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1083–1240 1135 3 105.00–130.00 $120.90 $1,372 —
1390–1435 1413 2 114.50–115.00 $114.75 $1,621 —
1425–1970 1677 12 107.00–128.50 $119.51 $2,004 —
1050–2295 1733 41 112.00–139.50 $124.37 $2,155 —

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
710 710 (<2 yrs)Open 1 180.00 $180.00 $1,278
818–828 thin fleshed 823 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 4 202.50–205.00 $203.74 $1,677
825 fancy 825 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 210.00 $210.00 $1,732
792–1005 870 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 86 161.00–191.00 $174.97 $1,522
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
770–1130 996 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 52 136.00–168.00 $145.48 $1,449
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
730–1208 1045 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 12 117.00–132.50 $126.52 $1,322

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1085 1085 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,625.00 $1,625.00
1089–1119 fancy 1105 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 26 2,600.00–2,875.00 $2,698.93
1105 1105 Young (2-4 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,900.00 $1,900.00
1134 1134 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 10 2,050.00 $2,050.00
1120–1427 1207 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 88 1,560.00–1,850.00 $1,658.59
1035–1575 1234 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 14 1,525.00–2,100.00 $1,868.43
1293 1293 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,725.00 $1,725.00
1293 1293 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,900.00 $1,900.00
1313 1313 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 6 2,000.00 $2,000.00
1178–1595 1316 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 50 1,550.00–2,050.00 $1,835.33
1297–1443 fancy 1344 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 34 1,900.00–2,000.00 $1,965.27
1225–1468 1346 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 2,175.00–2,550.00 $2,455.44
1340–1374 fancy 1353 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 19 2,750.00–2,800.00 $2,781.29
1380 1380 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,725.00 $1,725.00
1321–1419 fancy 1393 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 24 2,400.00–2,750.00 $2,623.33
1435 1435 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,625.00 $1,625.00
1503 1503 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,725.00 $1,725.00
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1015–1035 1025 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,250.00–1,400.00 $1,325.73
1141 1141 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 12 1,225.00 $1,225.00
1121–1214 1160 Aged (>8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 12 1,350.00–1,400.00 $1,371.81
940–1330 1178 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,225.00–1,425.00 $1,353.01
1204 1204 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 7 1,210.00 $1,210.00
1223 1223 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 3 1,450.00 $1,450.00
1215–1226 1225 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 17 1,225.00–1,260.00 $1,229.09
1162–1495 1226 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 25 1,225.00–1,460.00 $1,386.26
1265 1265 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,285.00 $1,285.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1025–1055 1040 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 1,000.00–1,025.00 $1,012.68
1120 1120 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,085.00 $1,085.00
1110–1180 1124 Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 7 1,050.00–1,150.00 $1,125.25
1115–1195 1168 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 1,150.00–1,175.00 $1,157.95

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Bred Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
946 946 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 16 2,600.00 $2,600.00
1012–1047 1029 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 21 2,700.00–2,850.00 $2,782.62
1043 1043 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo) 8 2,550.00 $2,550.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
855–875 865 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 2 1,625.00–2,400.00 $2,016.98 —
1155 1155 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 2,100.00 $2,100.00 -86.33

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Dairy Heifers

Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
900–930 913 7 156.50–159.00 $157.64 $1,439 +3.14
965–988 984 31 155.00–158.50 $158.09 $1,556 +3.61
1005–1045 1035 18 157.00–158.50 $157.58 $1,631 +2.16
1070–1090 1086 10 156.50–159.50 $157.99 $1,716 +2.49
1102–1138 1129 12 158.50–159.50 $159.26 $1,798 +5.29
1155–1190 1169 13 156.50–158.50 $157.46 $1,841 +3.21
Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
641 641 12 152.00 $152.00 $974 —
670 670 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,022 +17.50
755 755 1 152.50 $152.50 $1,151 +26.24
810 810 2 152.00 $152.00 $1,231 +2.00
1170–1172 1172 4 148.00–152.50 $151.38 $1,774 —
1290 1290 2 142.00 $142.00 $1,832 —
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
960 960 1 163.50 $163.50 $1,570 —

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Heifer Pairs

Medium and Large 1 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
855 855 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 2,100.00 $2,100.00 —

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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.