Cattle Market Pulse

Bluegrass Stockyard Market Report, Mt. Sterling, KY

Mt. Sterling, Kentucky · USDA-reported Auction Livestock · usually sells Wednesdays

Sale of Wednesday, October 21, 2026

630 head sold ·Official USDA report · Price history in the app

light 8-weight M&L 1-2 steers $354.50/cwt +32.65 vs last sale · ≈ $2,907/hd at 820 lb · 61 head
light 5-weight M&L 1-2 heifers $352.92/cwt +4.86 vs last sale · ≈ $1,833/hd at 520 lb · 38 head
light 5-weight M&L 1-2 bulls $370.01/cwt -31.82 vs last sale · ≈ $1,944/hd at 525 lb · 18 head

Receipts

HeadThis saleLast saleLast year
Total receipts 630 925 707
Feeder cattle 468 743 561
Slaughter cattle 102 58 97
Replacement cattle 60 124 49

Market comments — USDA reporter

Compared to last Wednesday the feeder market was mixed with an average quality offering. Feeder steers 350-650 lbs were steady to 5.00 lower with a limited supply and spotty demand, while the yearling steers appeared firm but with limited head to head comparisons. Feeder heifers 350 lbs and under were sharply higher with a lite test, while the 400-600 lbs heifers were steady to 5.00 higher with a good supply and good demand for quality cattle. Slaughter cows and bulls were steady to 3.00 higher with a good supply and good demand.

New to these tables? Plain-English explainers ↓

Feeder Steers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
385–390 387 3 440.00–450.00 $443.36 $1,716 —
388 fancy 388 10 496.00 $496.00 $1,924 -37.84
410–440 425 3 415.00–427.50 $420.77 $1,788 -14.23
475–495 487 15 410.00–428.00 $425.11 $2,070 -21.22
505–532 523 12 390.00–405.00 $399.16 $2,088 -13.88
540 value added 540 1 422.00 $422.00 $2,279 -11.79
556 value added 556 4 404.00 $404.00 $2,246 -10.91
562–587 576 6 365.00–380.00 $373.44 $2,151 -20.97
602–630 614 4 359.00–380.00 $374.61 $2,300 +14.26
677–685 681 4 336.00–340.00 $338.01 $2,302 -0.43
710–740 735 6 319.00–338.00 $334.94 $2,462 -8.86
765–775 770 2 311.00–330.00 $320.44 $2,467 -1.23
820 value added 820 61 354.50 $354.50 $2,907 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
185 185 2 400.00 $400.00 $740 —
245 245 1 450.00 $450.00 $1,102 —
360 360 1 385.00 $385.00 $1,386 -35.00
470–490 479 5 370.00–395.00 $381.86 $1,829 -37.21
515–530 523 2 367.00–370.00 $368.52 $1,927 +21.81
605 605 1 326.00 $326.00 $1,972 —
Large 1 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
475 475 2 382.50 $382.50 $1,817 —
530 530 1 340.00 $340.00 $1,802 —
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
480 480 1 312.50 $312.50 $1,500 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Heifers

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
230–247 fancy 241 3 530.00–542.50 $533.97 $1,287 +48.97
262 262 2 495.00 $495.00 $1,297 +88.23
303 303 4 430.00 $430.00 $1,303 —
310–330 fancy 319 5 465.00–492.50 $482.67 $1,540 —
355 fancy 355 5 445.00–460.00 $451.00 $1,601 +32.14
350–398 379 10 397.00–417.00 $407.40 $1,544 +16.94
410–433 fancy 424 9 417.00–445.00 $432.15 $1,832 +9.36
432–442 437 5 390.00–410.00 $400.95 $1,752 +6.39
455–460 fancy 457 3 377.00–390.00 $381.53 $1,744 +13.02
450–495 487 12 346.00–365.00 $353.04 $1,719 +8.05
512–530 value added 516 31 353.00–370.00 $355.30 $1,833 -5.36
520–542 535 7 337.50–347.00 $342.37 $1,832 +0.62
550–597 575 9 319.00–340.00 $326.12 $1,875 -4.87
582 value added 582 2 360.00 $360.00 $2,095 +7.83
610–617 value added 616 8 347.50–359.50 $358.01 $2,205 —
612–630 618 3 310.00–319.00 $315.94 $1,953 +6.94
670–698 690 5 292.50–315.00 $307.50 $2,122 +20.00
735–745 740 2 310.00 $310.00 $2,294 +24.51
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
210 210 1 430.00 $430.00 $903 —
405–442 430 3 380.00–382.50 $380.79 $1,637 +24.17
470–485 481 4 320.00–330.00 $322.44 $1,551 —
500–535 515 5 300.00–322.50 $317.43 $1,635 +12.46
565–570 568 2 300.00–310.00 $304.98 $1,732 -2.64
680 680 1 285.00 $285.00 $1,938 +12.53
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
340 340 1 305.00 $305.00 $1,037 —
442 442 2 350.00 $350.00 $1,547 —
557 557 2 240.00 $240.00 $1,337 —
N/N/A ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1215–1545 1387 3 161.00–180.00 $173.23 $2,403 —

↑ Back to top

Feeder Bulls

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
252 252 2 482.50 $482.50 $1,216 +2.50
310–325 fancy 315 3 497.50–520.00 $505.74 $1,593 +4.40
337 337 2 465.00 $465.00 $1,567 —
370–395 383 2 457.50–475.00 $465.96 $1,785 -6.54
385 fancy 385 2 502.50 $502.50 $1,935 +2.50
400–440 427 3 427.50–440.00 $436.09 $1,862 -36.41
452–495 465 6 382.50–400.00 $393.98 $1,832 -32.04
510–545 fancy 524 10 375.00–402.00 $390.06 $2,044 -22.77
510–540 527 8 340.00–360.00 $344.95 $1,818 -32.68
555–595 566 6 340.00–367.00 $357.86 $2,025 -2.67
568 fancy 568 4 382.50 $382.50 $2,173 -6.76
600–639 625 16 317.00–339.00 $329.31 $2,058 -1.47
650–685 666 9 309.00–336.00 $326.09 $2,172 +10.41
700–735 715 6 282.50–305.00 $296.46 $2,120 -15.57
785–787 787 5 275.00–300.00 $295.01 $2,322 -1.30
810–815 812 3 250.00–269.00 $262.64 $2,133 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
260 260 1 400.00 $400.00 $1,040 —
330 330 1 410.00 $410.00 $1,353 —
357–373 367 5 400.00–427.50 $416.79 $1,530 —
425–445 441 5 407.00–412.00 $407.96 $1,799 -22.10
485–495 493 4 352.50–365.00 $355.58 $1,753 -41.02
500–525 513 2 300.00–325.00 $312.80 $1,605 -9.76
585–590 588 3 290.00–310.00 $298.30 $1,754 -41.70
625 625 1 290.00 $290.00 $1,812 —
655–687 676 3 290.00–300.00 $296.77 $2,006 +17.99
855–860 858 2 232.50–237.50 $234.99 $2,016 —
920 920 1 223.00 $223.00 $2,052 —
970 970 1 211.00 $211.00 $2,047 —
Medium and Large 2-3 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
185 185 1 360.00 $360.00 $666 —
240 240 1 350.00 $350.00 $840 —
406 406 3 300.00 $300.00 $1,218 -37.56
540 540 1 240.00 $240.00 $1,296 —

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Cows

Lean ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
820–1005 913 85-90% 2 55.00–69.00 $62.71 $573 —
840–1250 1109 85-90% 6 91.00–101.00 $95.94 $1,064 -4.80
935–1255 1128 85-90% 14 107.00–125.00 $113.71 $1,283 +12.97
1215 1215 85-90% 1 131.00 $131.00 $1,592 —
Breaker ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1290–1690 1546 75-80% 6 139.00–143.00 $141.01 $2,180 —
1355–2080 1627 75-80% 17 124.00–136.00 $131.63 $2,142 +3.58
Boner ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Dressing Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1130–1360 1265 80-85% 6 137.00–145.00 $139.83 $1,769 —
1095–1475 1323 80-85% 11 121.00–136.00 $130.81 $1,731 -10.19

↑ Back to top

Slaughter Bulls

YG1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hdΔ last sale
1105–1305 1217 3 148.00–166.00 $158.17 $1,925 +4.44
1680–1910 1795 2 187.00–193.50 $190.46 $3,419 —
1400–2205 1833 7 172.00–182.00 $175.69 $3,220 —

↑ Back to top

Stock Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/cwt)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ ≈ $/hd
825–1400 1092 Young/Middle Aged (2-8 yrs)Open 18 127.00–220.00 $168.17 $1,836

↑ Back to top

Bred Cows

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
1115 1115 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 2,300.00 $2,300.00
1090–1297 1254 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 2,550.00–3,350.00 $2,965.54
1345 1345 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 2,300.00 $2,300.00
1390–1475 1412 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 4 2,600.00–3,375.00 $3,049.61
1565 1565 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,735.00 $1,735.00
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
896–915 906 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 6 2,000.00 $2,000.00
980 980 Aged (>8 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,750.00 $1,750.00
1105 1105 Aged (>8 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 1 1,300.00 $1,300.00
1180 1180 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 2,100.00 $2,100.00
Small 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
777 777 Young (2-4 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,050.00 $1,050.00
795 795 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)3rd Stage (7-9 mo) 1 1,400.00 $1,400.00
800 800 Young (2-4 yrs)1st Stage (1-3 mo) 1 1,100.00 $1,100.00
Medium and Large 3 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $
950–1085 1018 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)2nd Stage (4-6 mo) 2 1,185.00–1,375.00 $1,286.30

↑ Back to top

Cow-Calf Pairs

Medium and Large 1-2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1400–1465 1433 Aged (>8 yrs)Open 2 2,650.00–3,050.00 $2,845.46 -454.54
1476 1476 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)1st/2nd Stage (1-6 mo) 4 3,450.00 $3,450.00 —
1662 1662 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 2 4,175.00 $4,175.00 —
1670 1670 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 1 4,000.00 $4,000.00 —
1680 1680 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 1 2,150.00 $2,150.00 —
Medium and Large 2 ($/head)
Weight (lb) Avg wt AgeStage Head Price range Avg $ Δ last sale
1175 1175 Young (2-4 yrs)Open 1 2,900.00 $2,900.00 —
1350–1420 1385 Middle Aged/Aged (>5 yrs)Open 2 2,400.00–2,800.00 $2,594.95 —

↑ Back to top

Price trend

high 465.18 low 319.61 Oct 2025 Oct 2026

600–649 lb Medium and Large 1-2 steers — head-weighted average $/cwt by sale date, last 12 months.

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.

← Previous sale (Oct 14, 2026)

Markets near Mt. Sterling