Cattle Market Pulse

Alabama Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Weekly Wtd Avg, Alabama · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Monday, December 18, 2023

7,832 head sold ·Official USDA report

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

light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $216.36/cwt +20.97 vs last sale · ≈ $1,337/hd at 618 lb · 204 head
light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $226.99/cwt +15.40 vs last sale · ≈ $1,190/hd at 524 lb · 112 head
heavy 7-weight M&L 1 steers $217.14/cwt +43.81 vs last sale · ≈ $1,644/hd at 757 lb · 109 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 7,832 6,946 2,457
Feeder cattle 5,586 5,381 2,132
Slaughter cattle 1,389 1,098 111
Replacement cattle 857 467 214

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to one week ago: Slaughter cattle sold 1.00 to 4.00 higher. Feeder steers sold steady to 2.00 higher, feeder heifers and feeder bulls sold 3.00 to 7.00 higher. Trade active with good to very good demand on feeders. Replacement cows and pairs sold mostly steady. Year to date receipts totaled 621,211 compared to 613,625 a year ago.

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
310–345 327 3 270.00–280.00 $273.16 $893 -11.84
310–348 value added 342 6 300.00–302.00 $301.70 $1,032 +6.70
350–390 366 12 250.00–290.00 $276.77 $1,013 +10.46
370 value added 370 1 295.00 $295.00 $1,092 —
400 value added 400 1 260.00 $260.00 $1,040 -17.00
400–445 432 24 240.00–280.00 $270.54 $1,169 +1.96
455–480 467 4 262.00–270.00 $266.27 $1,243 +6.95
505–535 514 43 238.00–268.00 $258.41 $1,328 -2.48
520 value added 520 3 270.00 $270.00 $1,404 —
550–592 575 23 210.00–250.00 $237.81 $1,367 +0.83
600–645 618 56 200.00–241.00 $231.72 $1,432 +4.22
655–660 658 3 198.00–220.00 $210.98 $1,388 -4.85
705–735 719 7 192.00–210.00 $205.89 $1,480 +9.97
753–770 757 109 192.00–221.00 $217.14 $1,644 +43.81
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
315–345 329 43 250.00–291.00 $277.51 $913 +0.14
350–390 371 39 240.00–280.00 $269.08 $998 -0.02
405–440 427 38 230.00–272.00 $262.95 $1,123 +2.56
450–495 477 23 228.00–265.00 $251.44 $1,199 +0.67
505–545 524 28 220.00–254.00 $240.96 $1,263 +0.10
550–585 568 17 210.00–245.00 $234.19 $1,330 +1.30
610–645 628 10 180.00–235.00 $215.15 $1,351 -3.53
651–695 669 12 172.00–220.00 $208.31 $1,394 -1.57
705–745 719 15 185.00–211.00 $203.70 $1,465 +7.42
770–795 782 10 170.00–209.00 $190.36 $1,489 —
800 800 3 160.00–180.00 $173.33 $1,387 -11.67
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
330–345 337 5 262.00–270.00 $266.82 $899 +12.03
365–395 381 19 246.00–255.00 $250.63 $955 -1.02
415–435 425 6 237.00–250.00 $242.74 $1,032 -1.58
460–495 481 4 236.00–247.00 $240.98 $1,159 +4.54
505–545 528 9 222.00–238.00 $232.01 $1,225 +6.82
565–585 575 4 212.00–222.00 $216.46 $1,245 -0.18
605–645 624 8 206.00–225.00 $215.18 $1,343 +11.71
665–675 672 3 185.00–205.00 $198.40 $1,333 +13.40
770 770 1 175.00 $175.00 $1,348 +5.00

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Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275–285 278 15 240.00–260.00 $252.40 $702 +10.13
305–345 323 29 213.00–265.00 $247.84 $801 +7.09
355–395 375 53 228.00–250.00 $241.17 $904 +4.17
400–445 423 60 210.00–244.00 $236.24 $999 +5.26
456 value added 456 4 232.50 $232.50 $1,060 —
450–495 469 56 217.00–243.00 $229.85 $1,078 +4.46
502–547 522 66 203.00–232.00 $218.49 $1,141 +6.90
525 fancy 525 2 232.00 $232.00 $1,218 —
528 value added 528 44 239.50 $239.50 $1,265 —
550–598 579 48 200.00–224.00 $213.02 $1,233 +5.43
605–616 value added 613 113 207.50–226.50 $225.22 $1,381 +15.22
600–640 624 91 190.00–212.00 $205.36 $1,281 +10.34
650 value added 650 1 205.00 $205.00 $1,332 —
655–690 671 30 170.00–212.00 $198.88 $1,334 +11.05
730–739 739 57 170.00–208.00 $206.45 $1,526 +33.21
752 value added 752 25 213.00 $213.00 $1,602 —
755–780 768 2 175.00–195.00 $184.84 $1,420 +18.86
800 800 7 172.00–177.00 $174.86 $1,399 +14.86
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
250–290 278 19 232.00–255.00 $244.75 $680 +1.12
305–345 327 60 210.00–250.00 $236.85 $774 +2.00
355–395 379 81 208.00–240.00 $227.97 $864 -2.44
400–445 423 88 206.00–235.00 $222.50 $941 -0.20
450–499 477 93 195.00–235.00 $216.49 $1,033 +2.90
500–545 525 93 185.00–222.00 $209.96 $1,102 +6.48
550–595 574 46 187.00–210.00 $199.14 $1,143 +3.42
605–645 627 26 177.00–200.00 $187.56 $1,176 +4.00
650–690 674 10 175.00–185.00 $178.76 $1,205 +2.61
700–735 717 29 150.00–190.00 $177.27 $1,271 +13.26
750–760 756 4 150.00–160.00 $156.74 $1,185 -7.67
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275–295 280 8 230.00–245.00 $235.32 $659 -0.03
300–345 324 30 210.00–235.00 $225.34 $730 +0.04
355–395 376 36 210.00–235.00 $219.40 $825 +4.08
400–445 428 46 180.00–220.00 $208.92 $894 -4.08
450–495 473 40 198.00–218.00 $204.58 $968 +5.95
500–545 527 30 188.00–206.00 $196.68 $1,037 +3.83
555–595 577 23 178.00–195.00 $185.73 $1,072 +4.99
600–645 619 8 172.00–180.00 $176.20 $1,091 +3.72
655–690 678 11 160.00–180.00 $166.43 $1,128 -1.35
705–735 720 2 155.00–164.00 $159.59 $1,149 +8.26
770–790 780 2 145.00–150.00 $147.47 $1,150 +7.47

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Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
275–280 276 5 277.00–280.00 $279.39 $771 +17.03
305–345 326 32 252.00–285.00 $267.61 $872 +3.10
355–395 377 52 240.00–277.00 $257.07 $969 +0.37
400–445 426 64 230.00–268.00 $249.25 $1,062 +5.24
450–497 475 70 222.00–266.00 $238.55 $1,133 +6.63
500–545 526 44 210.00–245.00 $226.41 $1,191 +8.13
550–599 575 34 203.00–240.00 $215.82 $1,241 +5.36
600–645 624 34 192.00–216.00 $202.92 $1,266 +7.76
650–690 671 10 185.00–211.00 $193.92 $1,301 +6.36
700–740 706 24 172.00–187.00 $181.39 $1,281 +7.57
800 800 1 164.00 $164.00 $1,312 —
Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
205 205 1 290.00 $290.00 $594 +10.00
270–275 272 3 270.00–290.00 $283.25 $770 +0.93
300–345 333 19 264.00–295.00 $278.38 $927 +10.13
350–395 367 53 255.00–286.00 $271.54 $997 +7.53
400–445 422 59 240.00–282.00 $261.22 $1,102 +4.03
450–495 473 59 230.00–278.00 $251.33 $1,189 +5.92
507 value added 507 2 237.50 $237.50 $1,204 —
500–545 516 35 220.00–250.00 $236.68 $1,221 +4.35
555–590 569 42 212.00–245.00 $223.61 $1,272 -3.05
600–640 613 12 200.00–220.00 $208.36 $1,277 -2.45
655–675 666 5 190.00–200.00 $194.58 $1,296 -5.52
700–720 712 7 175.00–200.00 $186.97 $1,331 -0.56
765 765 1 160.00 $160.00 $1,224 -15.00
800 800 1 150.00 $150.00 $1,200 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
200–245 220 4 260.00–270.00 $265.89 $585 +5.89
260–280 270 4 255.00–260.00 $258.70 $698 +3.86
300–345 325 25 240.00–275.00 $256.10 $832 +4.50
355–395 377 25 230.00–260.00 $247.81 $934 +6.90
410–445 432 29 225.00–250.00 $240.24 $1,038 +9.50
455–490 476 35 215.00–245.00 $223.53 $1,064 +1.93
505–545 526 12 195.00–220.00 $205.89 $1,083 -6.38
565–590 577 14 175.00–217.00 $192.96 $1,113 -2.86
600–640 627 6 170.00–205.00 $189.45 $1,188 -0.18
655–690 672 16 160.00–197.00 $175.04 $1,176 +3.50
740–745 743 3 158.00–168.00 $161.32 $1,199 -0.68
770–780 775 2 168.00–170.00 $169.01 $1,310 +12.98

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Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
845–1875 1172 80-85% 166 81.00–93.00 $86.77 $1,017 +1.09
905–1700 1177 80-85% 174 87.00–99.00 $92.80 $1,092 +7.12
950–1600 1248 80-85% 70 93.00–104.00 $98.61 $1,231 +1.76
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
765–1285 1028 85-90% 88 71.00–91.00 $81.61 $839 +4.43
785–1315 1033 85-90% 43 78.00–95.00 $86.52 $894 +9.34
760–1280 1036 85-90% 108 62.00–85.00 $77.47 $803 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1260–1525 1333 75-80% 14 101.00–109.00 $103.91 $1,385 —
1240–1745 1457 75-80% 39 89.00–100.00 $95.11 $1,386 -7.51
1120–1700 1504 75-80% 29 85.00–93.00 $89.21 $1,342 —

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Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1150–1770 1493 51 90.00–110.00 $102.75 $1,534 +0.97
1190–2200 1656 33 100.00–116.00 $110.71 $1,833 —
1450–2200 1731 26 112.00–126.00 $119.56 $2,070 +9.46

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Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 12 400.00–580.00 $475.00
— — Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 756.00–838.00 $799.67

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Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
— fancy — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 15 1,600.00–2,100.00 $1,723.33
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 21 675.00–1,425.00 $1,014.52
— — Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 10 875.00–1,200.00 $1,010.00
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 128 820.00–1,575.00 $1,301.25
— fancy — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 9 1,450.00–1,700.00 $1,544.44
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 90 900.00–1,750.00 $1,476.11
Small 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 925.00–1,150.00 $1,037.50
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 10 825.00–1,200.00 $1,045.00
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 18 700.00–1,275.00 $1,029.17
Medium 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 3 775.00–800.00 $791.67
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 15 900.00–1,450.00 $1,314.67
Medium and Large 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
— — Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 1,100.00 $1,100.00
— — Aged (>8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 700.00–850.00 $758.33
— — Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 12 875.00–1,050.00 $950.00

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Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
— fancy — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 28 1,650.00–2,300.00 $1,941.07 —
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 17 1,600.00–2,000.00 $1,788.24 —
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 2 2,225.00–2,425.00 $2,325.00 —
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 1,825.00–2,025.00 $1,905.00 —
— — Aged (>8 yrs)Open 10 1,100.00–1,300.00 $1,229.00 —
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 15 1,000.00–1,550.00 $1,223.33 —
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 100 1,000.00–1,950.00 $1,564.75 —
Small 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
— — Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 4 1,250.00–1,400.00 $1,325.00 —

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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.