Sale reports / Colorado / Winter - La Junta / 2025-03-18

Winter - La Junta

Feeder Cattle · Slaughter Cattle · Replacement Cattle · La Junta, Colorado · Tue, Mar 18
● Final96 lots reportedUSDA AMS · slug 1896
Feeder Cattle receipts
779 head
▼ 449 vs last sale 1,228▲ 779 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago
Slaughter Cattle receipts
214 head
▲ 76 vs last sale 138▲ 214 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago
Replacement Cattle receipts
1,112 head
▲ 288 vs last sale 824▲ 1,112 vs year ago 0 · no sale a year ago
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Reporter comment USDA

As filed

Trade activity and demand was good. Boner slaughter cows sold 1.00 higher and lean cows sold 3.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold steady on a light test. Heavy bred heifers and young cows sold noticeably higher along with young pairs. The next replacement sale will be April 8, 2025.

Weight class

Steers · summary 500–600 lb

Weighted average of every reported lot
500–600 lb steers averaged $354.11/cwt on 101 head.
Average price
$354.11
101 head · 542 lb average
Value per head Derived
$1,918
Price × average weight ÷ 100
Grade differential Derived
−$41
per head · Large 1 over Medium and Large 1-2
$30.50/cwt at this weight
vs the market
−6.15
vs CO average
−3.05 vs national

What quality paid 500–600 lb

Frame and muscle grade
Frame / muscleAvg wt$/cwt$/headHead
Large 1521358.001,86534
Medium and Large 1551353.281,94664
Medium and Large 1-2582327.501,9063thin
One grade step is worth $30.50/cwt here — about −$41 a head. Across this sale the premium is widest at 400–500 lb. USDA reports each grade on its own line and never publishes the spread.

How it compared 500–600 lb

Same class and week · spot auction only
This sale101 hd
354.11
—
CO average3 barns · 362 hd
360.26
−6.15
National average170 barns · 10,920 hd
357.16
−3.05
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
Bulls—High1,712162.772,78718
CowsLean 85-90%High1,119140.011,567126
CowsBoner 80-85%Average1,357139.991,90051
CowsBreaker 75-80%High1,566139.022,17710

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)1,095$3,381187
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,167$3,169145
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,309$2,79370
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,146$2,71441
Bred Cows2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,128$2,5253thin
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,198$2,51223
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,208$2,45011
Bred Cows1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,230$2,40023
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,115$2,329123
Bred Cows3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,114$2,100113
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,114$2,10014
Bred Cows2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,049$1,90434
Bred Cows1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,305$1,8917
Bred Cows1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,345$1,8754thin
Bred Cows2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)Aged (>8 yrs)1,115$1,85333
Bred Cows2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,008$1,8255
Bred Cows2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,067$1,77539
Bred Heifers3rd Stage (7-9 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,087$3,10776
Bred Heifers2nd/3rd Stage (4-9 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)978$2,9002thin
Bred Heifers1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,108$2,2503thin
Bred Heifers2nd Stage (4-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,134$2,1593thin
Bred Heifers1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo)Young (2-4 yrs)1,025$1,7601thin
Cow-Calf Pairs1st Stage (1-3 mo)Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,465$4,0501thin
Cow-Calf PairsOpenYoung (2-4 yrs)1,195$3,57719
Cow-Calf PairsOpenMiddle Aged (5-8 yrs)1,354$3,33219
Cow-Calf PairsOpenYoung/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1,361$3,2899
Cow-Calf PairsOpenAged (>8 yrs)1,295$3,10427
Cow-Calf PairsOpenMiddle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1,290$2,8001thin
Heifer PairsOpenYoung (2-4 yrs)1,044$3,43611

Every lot, as filed

96 lots · USDA AMS · Winter Livestock Stock Cow and Pair Special - La Junta, CO
Nothing removed and nothing rounded — the same lots as the USDA report, with per-head values added.
ClassGrade / descriptionWeightAvg wtPriceRangePer headHead
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,1002,350.00/head2,300.00–2,400.002,3502
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,0811,724.18/head1,425.00–1,975.001,72436
HeifersMedium and Large 1650–700692266.32/cwt264.00–276.001,84339
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,3051,890.64/head1,800.00–2,000.001,8917
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,1502,350.00/head2,350.00–2,350.002,3501
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1673,174.98/head2,875.00–3,300.003,175144
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1—1,1532,313.45/head2,100.00–2,500.002,3132
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1—1,1082,250.00/head2,250.00–2,250.002,2503
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-2—1,0951,850.00/head1,850.00–1,850.001,8501
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1-2—9451,975.00/head1,975.00–1,975.001,9751
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1—9782,900.00/head2,900.00–2,900.002,9002
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1Fancy—1,1063,187.57/head3,050.00–3,275.003,18861
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,088164.37/cwt160.00–170.001,78814
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1—1,046187.29/cwt180.00–205.001,95917
Stock CowsMedium and Large 2—725131.00/cwt131.00–131.009501
Stock CowsMedium and Large 1Thin Fleshed—868227.73/cwt212.50–237.501,97711
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1—1,0251,760.00/head1,760.00–1,760.001,7601
Bred HeifersMedium and Large 1—1,0142,837.52/head2,400.00–2,900.002,83814
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—9152,800.00/head2,800.00–2,800.002,8001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,2402,300.00/head2,300.00–2,300.002,3001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,0802,300.00/head2,300.00–2,300.002,3001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,3682,561.24/head2,400.00–2,600.002,5614
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,4654,050.00/head4,050.00–4,050.004,0501
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1Fancy—1,2913,239.25/head3,000.00–3,400.003,23922
HeifersMedium and Large 1-2450–500467353.79/cwt349.00–355.001,65210
HeifersMedium and Large 1250–300270975.00/head975.00–975.009754
HeifersMedium and Large 1450–500469382.52/cwt382.00–383.001,79419
HeifersLarge 1-2450–500478335.00/cwt335.00–335.001,6016
HeifersMedium and Large 1350–400379397.57/cwt385.00–405.001,5078
HeifersLarge 1700–750732253.00/cwt253.00–253.001,8523
HeifersMedium and Large 1550–600585307.15/cwt301.00–312.501,7979
HeifersMedium and Large 1400–450437370.63/cwt352.50–380.001,6209
HeifersMedium and Large 1750–800756257.89/cwt257.50–265.001,95058
HeifersMedium and Large 1500–550540346.98/cwt340.00–360.001,87431
HeifersLarge 1400–450413348.00/cwt348.00–348.001,4372
SteersLarge 1500–550521358.00/cwt358.00–358.001,86534
SteersLarge 1400–450432404.54/cwt402.50–405.001,74810
SteersMedium and Large 1500–550534357.05/cwt345.00–360.001,90744
SteersMedium and Large 1550–600588345.00/cwt345.00–345.002,02920
SteersMedium and Large 1350–400377444.41/cwt439.00–449.001,67518
SteersMedium and Large 1700–750703317.50/cwt303.00–320.502,232104
SteersMedium and Large 1-2550–600582327.50/cwt327.50–327.501,9063
CowsBoner 80-85%—1,325121.00/cwt121.00–121.001,6031
CowsLean 85-90%—1,137144.26/cwt130.00–159.001,640104
CowsLean 85-90%—950120.24/cwt110.00–128.001,1428
CowsLean 85-90%—1,02589.26/cwt81.00–98.009153
CowsLean 85-90%—1,090111.83/cwt108.00–119.001,2196
CowsBreaker 75-80%—1,555141.02/cwt135.00–148.002,1939
CowsBreaker 75-80%—1,665121.00/cwt121.00–121.002,0151
CowsBoner 80-85%—1,358140.37/cwt126.00–149.001,90650
CowsLean 85-90%Return to Feed—1,115147.49/cwt137.00–149.501,6455
Bulls——1,713165.23/cwt140.00–180.002,83017
Bulls——1,700121.00/cwt121.00–121.002,0571
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,2902,800.00/head2,800.00–2,800.002,8001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,4002,100.00/head2,100.00–2,100.002,1001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,2933,901.35/head3,800.00–4,000.003,9012
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,3563,339.14/head3,100.00–3,500.003,33918
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,3103,200.00/head3,200.00–3,200.003,2001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1Fancy—1,3733,600.00/head3,600.00–3,600.003,6007
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1282,525.00/head2,525.00–2,525.002,5253
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1Fancy—1,2503,029.28/head3,000.00–3,100.003,02912
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1Fancy—1,1173,492.33/head3,300.00–3,575.003,492155
Heifer PairsMedium and Large 1—1,0573,500.00/head3,500.00–3,500.003,50010
Heifer PairsMedium and Large 1—9152,800.00/head2,800.00–2,800.002,8001
Cow-Calf PairsMedium and Large 1—1,2003,585.43/head3,575.00–3,600.003,58516
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,2182,050.00/head2,050.00–2,050.002,05023
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,0081,825.00/head1,825.00–1,825.001,8255
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—8791,400.00/head1,400.00–1,400.001,40010
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1322,290.62/head2,025.00–2,500.002,29176
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,3451,875.00/head1,875.00–1,875.001,8754
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,0671,775.00/head1,775.00–1,775.001,77539
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—9802,872.29/head2,850.00–2,875.002,87230
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1142,100.00/head2,100.00–2,100.002,10014
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1462,713.66/head2,350.00–2,800.002,71441
Bred CowsMedium and Large 2—1,0901,550.00/head1,550.00–1,550.001,5501
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,3252,765.33/head2,550.00–2,850.002,76557
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,0611,650.00/head1,650.00–1,650.001,6509
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,0451,995.05/head1,850.00–2,050.001,99525
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1072,350.24/head2,250.00–2,750.002,350115
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1-2—1,2302,025.00/head2,025.00–2,025.002,0258
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,2082,450.00/head2,450.00–2,450.002,45011
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,1982,511.79/head2,300.00–2,700.002,51223
HeifersMedium and Large 1300–350332411.28/cwt395.00–420.001,36512
Bred CowsMedium and Large 2—9451,175.00/head1,175.00–1,175.001,1751
Bred CowsMedium and Large 1—1,2302,400.00/head2,400.00–2,400.002,40023
SteersMedium and Large 1600–650638337.41/cwt334.50–338.002,153100
SteersMedium and Large 1-2450–500494369.45/cwt361.00–373.001,82510
SteersMedium and Large 1-2400–450429388.00/cwt388.00–388.001,6656
SteersMedium and Large 1450–500481388.00/cwt388.00–388.001,8667
SteersMedium and Large 1650–700652318.00/cwt318.00–318.002,0733
SteersMedium and Large 1400–450420420.67/cwt415.00–431.001,76711
HeifersMedium and Large 1850–900865244.61/cwt244.00–247.502,11622
HeifersMedium and Large 1600–650629300.33/cwt298.00–305.001,88912
HeifersMedium and Large 1Fancy400–450420395.03/cwt391.00–397.001,6599
HeifersMedium and Large 1Fancy550–600582334.00/cwt334.00–334.001,9443
BullsMedium and Large 1350–400382407.50/cwt407.50–407.501,5573

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.