Cattle Market Pulse

Arkansas Cattle Auction LLC Market Report

Searcy, Arkansas · USDA-reported Auction Livestock

Sale of Tuesday, May 16, 2023

807 head sold ·Official USDA report

This is an archived report. See the latest Arkansas Cattle Auction LLC report →

light 5-weight M&L 1 heifers $200.13/cwt +0.25 vs last sale · ≈ $1,045/hd at 522 lb · 30 head
heavy 4-weight M&L 1 heifers $213.19/cwt -1.15 vs last sale · ≈ $1,000/hd at 469 lb · 27 head
light 6-weight M&L 1 heifers $190.93/cwt +17.96 vs last sale · ≈ $1,186/hd at 621 lb · 23 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 807 782 615
Feeder cattle 535 567 513
Slaughter cattle 197 175 71
Replacement cattle 75 40 31

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last week: Feeder steers sold 2.00-4.00 higher. Feeder heifers less than 500lbs sold 1.00 lower. Feeder heifers over 500lbs sold 2.00-8.00 higher. Slaughter cows sold steady to 1.00 higher. Slaughter bulls sold steady to 1.00 lower. Quality plain to attractive with replacement heifers selling at market highs. Demand good for all classes.

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
300–335 318 2 247.50–250.00 $248.68 $791 +26.14
350–395 382 9 230.00–260.00 $243.92 $932 -11.67
385 fancy 385 1 272.50 $272.50 $1,049 —
400–445 421 10 232.50–257.50 $242.25 $1,020 +5.28
455–495 478 15 230.00–250.00 $240.20 $1,148 +3.75
505 fancy 505 1 250.00 $250.00 $1,262 —
500–530 518 8 225.00–235.00 $229.89 $1,191 -2.97
553–595 565 11 217.50–230.00 $225.94 $1,277 -2.20
625–638 634 3 209.00–210.00 $209.33 $1,327 -4.46
650 650 1 197.50 $197.50 $1,284 +8.74
1065 1065 1 136.00 $136.00 $1,448 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
405 405 1 227.50 $227.50 $921 +7.74
430 thin fleshed 430 1 247.50 $247.50 $1,064 —
455 thin fleshed 455 1 250.00 $250.00 $1,138 —
460–480 468 4 200.00–220.00 $212.35 $994 +8.49
510 510 1 212.50 $212.50 $1,084 +17.50
565–595 580 2 195.00–205.00 $199.87 $1,159 +14.87
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
335 335 1 167.50 $167.50 $561 -7.50
425 425 1 185.00 $185.00 $786 +10.00
450 450 1 180.00 $180.00 $810 +5.32

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
305–345 323 12 210.00–240.00 $223.58 $722 +10.51
350–395 370 14 210.00–235.00 $224.24 $830 -3.01
400–445 429 18 210.00–230.00 $218.80 $939 -1.48
450–490 469 27 205.00–225.00 $213.19 $1,000 -1.15
510 fancy 510 2 212.50–220.00 $216.25 $1,103 —
500–545 523 28 190.00–206.00 $198.98 $1,041 +18.98
550–590 568 9 190.00–200.00 $194.97 $1,107 +1.94
575 575 1 205.00 $205.00 $1,179 +11.97
614 value added 614 4 200.00 $200.00 $1,228 +20.00
610–620 615 3 202.50–205.00 $204.17 $1,256 +35.43
602–645 624 15 177.50–192.50 $186.92 $1,166 +18.18
630 630 1 175.00 $175.00 $1,102 +6.26
650–670 660 2 165.00–172.50 $168.69 $1,113 +0.38
662 value added 662 5 185.00 $185.00 $1,225 +5.00
695 695 1 195.00 $195.00 $1,355 +26.69
718 718 3 186.00 $186.00 $1,335 +17.51
710–735 723 2 162.50–165.00 $163.73 $1,184 -4.76
718–740 723 5 172.50–176.00 $174.89 $1,264 +6.40
760–785 773 2 160.00–172.50 $166.35 $1,286 -6.62
770–792 value added 783 5 177.50–185.00 $182.05 $1,425 —
805 805 1 177.50 $177.50 $1,429 —
805–820 813 2 152.50–157.50 $154.98 $1,260 —
830 830 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,370 —
955 955 2 141.00–147.50 $144.25 $1,378 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
315–345 326 4 200.00–207.50 $203.09 $662 +3.14
360 thin fleshed 360 1 227.50 $227.50 $819 —
365–385 376 7 195.00–212.50 $203.18 $764 -9.32
405–430 418 4 192.50–207.50 $202.54 $847 -2.54
440 thin fleshed 440 2 222.50 $222.50 $979 —
450–490 470 5 185.00–202.50 $195.40 $918 -1.80
535–545 540 4 170.00–185.00 $178.18 $962 -8.45
565–570 568 2 180.00–185.00 $182.49 $1,037 +9.05
600–620 609 4 170.00–187.50 $177.45 $1,081 -17.55
650 650 1 162.50 $162.50 $1,056 —
710 710 1 150.00 $150.00 $1,065 —
760–795 780 3 140.00–147.50 $143.36 $1,118 -16.52
855–890 873 4 137.50–150.00 $142.47 $1,244 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
340–345 343 2 177.50–185.00 $181.28 $622 —
355 355 1 182.50 $182.50 $648 +0.45
480 480 1 180.00 $180.00 $864 —
585 585 1 162.50 $162.50 $951 +11.11
630 630 2 157.00–165.00 $161.00 $1,014 +6.00
685 685 1 145.00 $145.00 $993 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
325–345 337 7 230.00–265.00 $245.22 $826 -19.81
345 fancy 345 1 277.50 $277.50 $957 —
350–395 370 6 230.00–262.50 $248.29 $919 -2.76
380 fancy 380 1 272.50 $272.50 $1,036 —
400–440 418 16 225.00–255.00 $239.88 $1,003 +7.69
450–495 472 14 220.00–245.00 $232.30 $1,096 +17.57
500–540 519 15 210.00–232.50 $226.85 $1,177 +9.91
550–585 566 7 200.00–220.00 $215.04 $1,217 +20.33
605 605 1 197.50 $197.50 $1,195 +7.26
610 610 1 167.50 $167.50 $1,022 -22.74
650–680 660 3 175.00–182.50 $179.10 $1,182 +9.10
705–730 716 4 170.00–180.00 $176.27 $1,262 —
805 805 1 165.00 $165.00 $1,328 —
865 fancy 865 1 185.00 $185.00 $1,600 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
330–345 340 3 200.00–227.50 $215.77 $734 +10.18
350 thin fleshed 350 1 237.50 $237.50 $831 —
355–385 368 8 200.00–225.00 $210.95 $776 +2.59
420–435 431 4 220.00 $220.00 $948 +12.47
460–480 469 5 200.00–217.50 $211.43 $992 +17.46
500–545 525 6 185.00–200.00 $196.64 $1,032 +2.86
555–580 568 2 180.00–185.00 $182.56 $1,037 +3.45
610 610 1 173.00 $173.00 $1,055 +9.22
720 720 1 160.00 $160.00 $1,152 +12.50
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
400–411 406 7 230.00–247.50 $237.38 $964 —
Medium and Large 3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
315–345 334 4 165.00–197.50 $178.34 $596 —
475–490 482 3 170.00–190.00 $179.19 $864 +5.91
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
980 980 (<2 yrs)N/A 1 1,325.00 $1,325.00 —
1318–1855 1452 Young (2-4 yrs)N/A 4 2,575.00–2,925.00 $2,813.23 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
720–1075 942 80-85% 24 82.00–89.00 $86.75 $817 —
765–1345 1059 80-85% 45 90.00–95.00 $92.90 $984 +6.74
1040–1720 1242 80-85% 26 96.00–99.00 $97.54 $1,211 +1.06
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1125–1620 1378 75-80% 13 100.00–103.00 $100.95 $1,391 —
1205–1570 1414 75-80% 8 105.00–109.00 $107.04 $1,514 —
Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
805–940 863 85-90% 4 71.00–80.00 $77.11 $665 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
955–1240 1108 3 85.00–104.00 $96.84 $1,073 +1.47
1220–1390 1313 3 110.00–112.00 $111.38 $1,462 —
1300–1815 1572 3 116.00–118.00 $116.89 $1,838 +3.29

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
605–855 748 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 5 74.00–100.00 $91.68 $686

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
770–815 785 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 3 835.00–985.00 $933.09
748–955 872 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 5 925.00–1,085.00 $1,030.11
915 915 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 800.00–1,025.00 $912.50
805–1120 945 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 13 1,025.00–1,450.00 $1,261.92
945 945 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 900.00–1,075.00 $987.50
950–1045 998 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 2 1,160.00–1,425.00 $1,298.81
Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
685–750 718 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 2 82.00–89.00 $85.34 $613
995 995 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 124.00 $124.00 $1,234
720–1265 1065 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 5 86.00–105.00 $97.33 $1,037
1070–1265 1182 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 5 102.00–114.00 $106.03 $1,253
1190–1270 1230 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 94.00–109.00 $101.26 $1,245
1270 1270 Young (2-4 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 105.00 $105.00 $1,334
1425 1425 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 98.00 $98.00 $1,396

↑ Back to top

Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
780–1000 953 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 6 810.00–1,800.00 $1,558.54 —
1000–1025 1006 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 4 1,010.00–1,050.00 $1,039.81 —
1000–1130 1065 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 2 1,050.00–1,325.00 $1,195.89 —
1050–1100 1067 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 3 1,450.00–1,500.00 $1,467.19 —
880–1370 1074 Middle Aged (5-8 yrs)Open 8 1,000.00–1,450.00 $1,283.54 —

↑ Back to top

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.