Sale reports / Colorado / La Junta / 2024-04-24

La Junta

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · La Junta, Colorado · Wed, Apr 24
● Final102 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1903
Feeder Cattle receipts
774 head
1,566 vs last sale 2,340 225 vs year ago 549 · +41.0%
Slaughter Cattle receipts
215 head
94 vs last sale 121 90 vs year ago 125 · +72.0%
Replacement Cattle receipts
134 head
21 vs last sale 113 74 vs year ago 60 · +123.3%
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Trade activity and demand was good. Feeder steers sold 4.00 to 16.00 higher across all weight classes. Feeder heifers sold mostly 5.00 to 6.00 lower across all weight classes. Slaughter cows sold steady with a higher trend noticeable while slaughter bulls sold 3.00 lower. The next feeder calf and slaughter cow sale will be next Wednesday May 1, 2024.

Weight class

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
500–600 lb steers averaged $308.66/cwt on 96 head. That ranks 1 of 12 comparable sales and sits 134.32 against this barn's trailing median of $442.98.
Average price
$308.66
96 head · 540 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,667
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
$570
per head · Medium and Large 1 over Large 2
$79.17/cwt at this weight
vs the market
+0.47
vs CO average
0.89 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Medium and Large 1555322.171,78864
Large 1514321.001,6506thin
Large 1-2515291.001,49916thin
Large 2501243.001,21710thin
One grade step is worth $79.17/cwt here — about $570 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 500–600 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

This barn's trailing prices 500–600 lb

12 sales
499466434401median 442.9812/1701/2102/1103/0403/25
Steers 500–600 lb: high $484.95, low $415.25, median $442.98 across 12 sales. Sales under 10 head in this class are excluded, so a thin day cannot swing the median or the ranking.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only
This sale96 hd
308.66
CO average2 barns · 117 hd
308.19
+0.47
National average173 barns · 10,802 hd
309.55
−0.89
This barn, trailing median12 sales
442.98
−134.32
A barn can sit above the state average at one weight and below it at another — check the class you actually sell.

Slaughter cattle

By class and quality grade · $/cwt
Cull cows and bulls are graded, not weight-classed — grade is what moves the money here.
ClassGradeDressingAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
BullsHigh1,647139.692,30113
CowsBoner 80-85%High1,379131.091,80817
CowsBreaker 75-80%High1,563131.002,0482thin
CowsLean 85-90%Low1,042116.761,21793

Replacement cattle Per head

By class, stage and age
Bred stock and pairs are reported per head, not per hundredweight — these prices are never mixed with the $/cwt figures above.
ClassStageAgeAvg wt$/headHead
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,059$1,89315
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,072$1,8853thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,178$1,6502thin
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,218$1,6102thin
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,295$1,59510
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,261$1,54513
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,000$1,5444thin
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,035$1,4251thin
Bred Cows1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,020$1,3933thin
Bred Heifers3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)881$1,6214thin
Bred Heifers1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)735$1,4251thin
Bred Heifers2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)932$1,3252thin
Bred Heifers3rd Stage (7-9 mo)(<2 yrs)678$1,2752thin
Cow-Calf PairsOpenMiddle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,307$2,4253thin
Cow-Calf PairsOpenMiddle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,382$2,11411
Cow-Calf PairsOpenAged (>8 yrs)1,282$2,10026
Cow-Calf PairsOpenYoung (2-4 yrs)1,167$2,0745
Cow-Calf PairsOpenYoung/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,073$1,3668
Heifer PairsOpenYoung (2-4 yrs)661$1,45010
Heifer PairsOpen(<2 yrs)670$1,1751thin

Every lot, as filed

102 lots · USDA AMS · La Junta Livestock Commision - La Junta, CO
Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added.
ClassGrade / descriptionWeightAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
CowsLean 85-90%76671.00/cwt71.00–71.0054410
CowsBreaker 75-80%1,563131.00/cwt131.00–131.002,0482
CowsBoner 80-85%Return to Feed1,379131.09/cwt126.00–136.001,80817
Bulls1,647139.69/cwt120.00–161.002,30113
CowsLean 85-90%1,11590.00/cwt90.00–90.001,0041
CowsLean 85-90%Return to Feed1,075122.67/cwt106.00–144.001,31982
HeifersLarge 1500–550515279.00/cwt279.00–279.001,4374
SteersLarge 1-2500–550515291.00/cwt291.00–291.001,49916
SteersLarge 1-2400–450443311.00/cwt311.00–311.001,37814
SteersLarge 1650–700650245.00/cwt245.00–245.001,5936
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,0351,425.00/head1,425.00–1,425.001,4251
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-27351,425.00/head1,425.00–1,425.001,4251
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,0881,560.17/head1,525.00–1,600.001,5602
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1-21,048155.49/cwt144.00–166.001,63025
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2650–700683222.47/cwt220.00–225.001,5196
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2250–300292339.00/cwt339.00–339.009905
SteersMedium and Large 1-2650–700684242.49/cwt242.00–243.001,6594
SteersMedium and Large 1-2600–650643270.00/cwt270.00–270.001,7362
HeifersMedium and Large 1Value Added550–600558274.91/cwt271.00–276.001,53414
HeifersMedium and Large 1Value Added650–700667244.00/cwt244.00–244.001,6274
HeifersMedium and Large 1Value Added350–400362326.00/cwt326.00–326.001,1803
SteersMedium and Large 1Value Added350–400358391.32/cwt389.00–393.001,40112
SteersMedium and Large 1Value Added500–550509340.25/cwt339.00–345.001,73210
SteersMedium and Large 1Value Added550–600567328.00/cwt327.00–331.001,86017
SteersMedium and Large 1350–400391376.42/cwt376.00–377.001,4727
SteersMedium and Large 1800–850813230.00/cwt230.00–230.001,8706
SteersMedium and Large 1Value Added450–500474358.51/cwt354.00–364.001,69925
SteersMedium and Large 1300–350343381.00/cwt381.00–381.001,3073
SteersMedium and Large 1450–500487342.38/cwt330.00–350.001,66722
SteersMedium and Large 1600–650619286.00/cwt286.00–286.001,77012
SteersMedium and Large 1500–550520318.76/cwt316.00–322.001,6589
SteersMedium and Large 1700–750709232.00/cwt232.00–232.001,6456
SteersMedium and Large 1550–600581308.75/cwt301.00–314.001,79425
SteersMedium and Large 1750–800769226.00/cwt226.00–226.001,7385
SteersMedium and Large 1400–450435367.00/cwt367.00–367.001,5967
HeifersMedium and Large 1650–700655231.00/cwt231.00–231.001,5136
HeifersMedium and Large 1450–500471295.51/cwt295.00–296.001,39216
HeifersMedium and Large 1700–750705220.00/cwt220.00–220.001,55112
HeifersMedium and Large 1300–350346332.32/cwt328.00–334.001,1507
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 11,2822,100.00/head2,100.00–2,100.002,10026
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 11,2512,267.09/head2,000.00–2,375.002,2674
HeifersMedium and Large 1600–650629255.60/cwt251.00–260.001,60820
BullsMedium and Large 1650–700655249.16/cwt247.50–250.001,6329
BullsMedium and Large 1700–750718229.00/cwt229.00–229.001,6443
HeifersMedium and Large 1350–400392306.00/cwt306.00–306.001,2009
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1Fancy730222.00/cwt222.00–222.001,6216
Bred CowsMedium and Large 11,4631,865.24/head1,810.00–1,900.001,8655
Bred CowsMedium and Large 11,0381,965.36/head1,825.00–2,075.001,9652
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 11,4472,275.00/head2,275.00–2,275.002,2759
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 11,4551,825.00/head1,825.00–1,825.001,8251
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 11,3072,425.00/head2,425.00–2,425.002,4253
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1Thin Fleshed811206.11/cwt201.00–211.001,67214
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1Fancy1,1812,237.68/head2,225.00–2,250.002,2387
Bred CowsMedium and Large 11,1151,953.55/head1,825.00–2,100.001,9543
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 11,0702,075.00/head2,075.00–2,075.002,0751
HeifersLarge 1400–450413293.00/cwt293.00–293.001,2104
SteersLarge 1Fancy500–550514321.00/cwt321.00–321.001,6506
SteersMedium and Large 1Fancy500–550525351.00/cwt351.00–351.001,8433
SteersMedium and Large 1Fancy700–750745252.00/cwt252.00–252.001,8772
SteersLarge 2500–550501243.00/cwt243.00–243.001,21710
SteersLarge 1-2600–650633261.00/cwt261.00–261.001,6522
HeifersLarge 1-2500–550533245.43/cwt230.00–261.001,3086
HeifersLarge 1-2400–450427240.00/cwt240.00–240.001,0253
Bred CowsMedium and Large 21,1261,325.00/head1,325.00–1,325.001,3255
Bred CowsMedium and Large 28851,060.00/head1,060.00–1,060.001,0601
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1931177.72/cwt169.00–198.001,65529
SteersMedium and Large 1Thin Fleshed300–350335393.52/cwt392.00–397.501,3187
HeifersMedium and Large 1Value Added450–500472304.00/cwt304.00–304.001,43512
HeifersMedium and Large 1Fancy550–600562284.00/cwt284.00–284.001,5965
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 26801,225.00/head1,225.00–1,225.001,2251
Bred CowsMedium and Large 21,1031,110.00/head1,110.00–1,110.001,1103
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 28901,125.00/head1,125.00–1,125.001,1251
Heifer PairsMedium and Large 26701,175.00/head1,175.00–1,175.001,1751
Bred CowsMedium and Large 28931,275.00/head1,275.00–1,275.001,2752
Stock CowsMedium and Large 21,003132.29/cwt121.00–140.001,3273
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 28201,125.00/head1,125.00–1,125.001,1251
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-28301,440.52/head1,425.00–1,450.001,4413
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-28181,469.43/head1,375.00–1,550.001,4693
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-29771,591.38/head1,575.00–1,625.001,5913
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,1781,650.00/head1,650.00–1,650.001,6502
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-21,0431,525.00/head1,525.00–1,525.001,5251
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,2901,650.00/head1,650.00–1,650.001,6501
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-21,1191,375.00/head1,375.00–1,375.001,3754
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,3081,675.00/head1,675.00–1,675.001,67510
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,2181,610.00/head1,610.00–1,610.001,6102
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-26751,325.00/head1,325.00–1,325.001,3251
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-21,1401,725.00/head1,725.00–1,725.001,7251
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2600–650614230.50/cwt230.00–231.001,4154
Heifer PairsMedium and Large 1-26611,450.00/head1,450.00–1,450.001,45010
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-28301,300.00/head1,300.00–1,300.001,3001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1-28851,200.00/head1,200.00–1,200.001,2003
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2450–500473274.82/cwt270.00–280.001,30013
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2500–550540277.00/cwt277.00–277.001,4963
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2550–600592251.21/cwt241.00–253.001,48713
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2300–350326314.12/cwt311.00–317.001,0246
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2400–450422292.89/cwt282.00–301.001,23612
HeifersMedium and Large 2450–500466246.00/cwt246.00–246.001,1464
HeifersMedium and Large 2600–650625211.00/cwt211.00–211.001,3194
SteersMedium and Large 2400–450430313.00/cwt313.00–313.001,3463
HeifersMedium and Large 2400–450423251.00/cwt251.00–251.001,0624
HeifersMedium and Large 2500–550540255.62/cwt251.00–259.001,38010
Bred CowsMedium and Large 21,0701,400.00/head1,400.00–1,400.001,4001

How this sale compares

Colorado weighted averages
One sale is one barn on one day. The state ladder is every Colorado auction USDA reported that week, weighted by head — the fairer test of whether a lot sold well.