**Correction: 13lb slaughter cow deleted**
Slightly larger run of total head compared to last week, similar number of Feeders but lower offering of Slaughter Cattle. Increase in the run made up by gains in Replacements due to two herd dispersals today, many young to middle aged cows in first/second trimester with quality calves on their side. Ample demand for all types, however, Feeder Steers were lower $5-$10 per cwt than last week but it can be noted that the run today was carrying more flesh compared to last week's harder fleshed Steers. Heifers sold steady, no market test on cutting bulls. Slaughter Cows sold steady for the most part but higher dressing Breakers and Bulls slightly higher by $4 per cwt. Calves $190-$205 per cwt. Few low choice Heifers, $112.50 - $130.
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.
Cattle Market
**Correction: 13lb slaughter cow deleted** Slightly larger run of total head compared to last week, similar number of Feeders but lower offering of Slaughter Cattle. Increase in the run made up by gains in Replacements due to two herd dispersals today, many young to middle aged cows in first/second trimester with quality calves on their side. Ample demand for all types, however, Feeder Steers were lower $5-$10 per cwt than last week but it can be noted that the run today was carrying more flesh compared to last week's harder fleshed Steers. Heifers sold steady, no market test on cutting bulls. Slaughter Cows sold steady for the most part but higher dressing Breakers and Bulls slightly higher by $4 per cwt. Calves $190-$205 per cwt. Few low choice Heifers, $112.50 - $130.